TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed Indonesia's hope that Austria would consider recognizing the State of Palestine.

"I convey Indonesia's hope that Austria can start considering its recognition of Palestine," Marsudi noted in a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs during her visit to Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Marsudi told Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg that Indonesia understands Austria's current difficult position.

However, considering Austria's support for a resolution through a two-state solution, Marsudi views the matter of recognizing the State of Palestine as a step that shows consistent support for a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, apart from expressing hope that Austria would recognize the State of Palestine, Marsudi also expressed her appreciation for Austrian support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Austria had once frozen aid to UNRWA. However, on May 18, the Austrian Government decided to reactivate funding to UNRWA, with a total budget of 3.4 million euros for 2024.

She said that since October 7, 2023, Austria has distributed humanitarian aid worth 32 million euros through the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The humanitarian assistance is considered important to support the lives of civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.

"It was recently reported that the entire population of Gaza (around 2.23 million) is experiencing high levels of food insecurity," she remarked.

Hence, she underscored the need for an immediate ceasefire, cessation of war, and efforts to be made to save the lives of innocent people in Gaza.

"Once again, a ceasefire must be implemented immediately, and the war must be stopped, so that we can immediately save the lives of innocent people in Gaza," Marsudi emphasized.

ANTARA

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