TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ambassador to Sweden Kamapradipta Isnomo emphasized Indonesia's full support for Palestine during a meeting with Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Billström in Stockholm.

Indonesia also emphasized its condemnation of Israeli violence against civilians and civil facilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

"Indonesia also condemns the deaths of more than 40 journalists covering (the conflict) in the Gaza Strip and asks Sweden to continue providing international development assistance to Palestine," Isnomo noted in a written statement issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm and received by ANTARA on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

According to Isnomo, suspension or termination of long-term development cooperation assistance for Palestine could set a bad precedent and be part of collective punishment against Palestine.

On Thursday, ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, including Indonesia, met with Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Billström in Stockholm to convey full support for Palestine and condemnation against Israel.

The ambassadors asked Sweden to call for a ceasefire and urge Israel to stop its military attacks and to open access to humanitarian assistance from the international community.

They also urged Sweden to consistently support the two-state solution, where Palestine and Israel can coexist peacefully based on the 1967 borders.

Billström expressed appreciation for the meeting and dialogue with ambassadors.

"We had a fruitful and constructive meeting. The ambassadors of OIC member states play an important role in explaining our policies to their capital cities," he noted in a statement issued by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also conveyed a humanitarian aid commitment for Gaza worth US$2 million and would seek a ceasefire and open humanitarian access with members of the European Union.

Sweden is the first member country of the EU that established diplomatic relations with Palestine on October 30, 2014.

Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden is one of the contributors to the biggest development assistance in the EU through thematic programs, such as democracy, gender equality, human rights, environment, and inclusive economic development.

ANTARA

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