Indonesian, Palestinian Foreign Ministers Discuss Gaza Situation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held bilateral talks with her Palestinian counterpart, Riad Maliki, on Tuesday to discuss the latest situation in Gaza.

The two foreign ministers held the talks before attending a Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestine Development" (CEAPAD) III held in Bangkok, Thailand, the Foreign Ministry said in a press statement released on Wednesday.

At the meeting, the two foreign ministers looked into the possibility of taking the best steps to re-encourage Palestine-Israel peace process.

"Countries outside the region, particularly predominantly Muslim countries, must be involved in encouraging Palestine-Israel peace process," Maliki stated.

At the meeting, Marsudi reiterated the Indonesian government`s commitment to continue to support Palestine`s struggle for independence.

"The Indonesian government and people will always struggle until the Palestinian people gain their independence," she remarked.

In response, Maliki lauded Indonesia for its commitment to continue to support the Palestinian people`s struggle for independence.

While in Bangkok, Marsudi also met the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Pierre Kr?henb?hl, on Wednesday.

At the meeting, the two officials discussed the agency`s steps and plans to address the financial crisis faced by the agency.

The Indonesian government lauded UNRWA`s role in assisting Palestinian refugees, whose number reaches more than 5.3 million.

Marsudi also reiterated the Indonesian government`s commitment to assist UNRWA.

ANTARA