EXCHANGE OF NOTES
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF
GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND
HIS HIGHNESS PADUKA SERI BAGINDA SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN OF BRUNEI CONCERNING THE QUESTION OF NATIONALITY
No. 1
The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to His Highness Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Your Highness,
British High Commission,
Bandar Seri Begawan,
Brunei.
7 January 1979.
I have the honour to refer to the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation concluded today between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the State of Brunei, which will enter into force following the termination of the special treaty relations between the United Kingdom and the State of Brunei, including all residual responsibilities of the United Kingdom in relation to the foreign affairs of the State of Brunei.
As a consequence British responsibility for British protected persons of Brunei will cease five years from 31 December 1978 whether or not such British protected persons are nationals of Brunei under the Brunei Nationality Enact- ment of 1961.
It is the understanding of Her Majesty's Government that those persons who are not nationals of Brunei but who have permanent residence in Brunei, will continue to have residence there subject to the laws of Brunei; that they will be granted International Certificates of Identity by the Brunei Authorities for the purposes of travel; and that they will be granted nationality upon application if they fulfil the appropriate qualifications under the Brunei Nationality Enactment of 1961.
The issue of passports to Brunei nationals will be the responsibility of the Government of Brunei: the issue of passports to UK nationals in Brunei will be the responsibility of the British High Commission in Brunei.
If the foregoing corresponds to Your Highness's understanding of the situation, I have the honour to suggest that the present Note and Your Highness's reply to that effect should be regarded as an understanding between our two Governments on these matters which will come into operation five years from 31 December 1978.
I avail myself of the opportunity to renew to Your Highness the assurance of my highest consideration.
GORONWY-ROBERTS OF CAERNARVON AND OGWEN
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