VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi, at the UN Security Council meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, presented and explained in detail three vital measures for dealing with the Palestinians' problems. 

The UN Security Council meeting, chaired by Marsudi, was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the United States, on Wednesday (May 20), according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry's written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

The meeting to deliberate on the Middle East situation was led by the Indonesian foreign minister in Indonesia's capacity as the UNSC president for May 2019, and all members of the Security Council were in attendance.

The meeting was held to get the latest updates on the current situation in the Middle East, including the issue of Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Through a video conference, recent developments in the Middle East were delivered by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Nickolay Mladenov and Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Pierre Krhenbhl.

At the meeting, the Indonesian foreign minister highlighted the need to adopt three key measures in a bid to solve the problems faced by the Palestinian government and people.

Firstly, the Indonesian government laid emphasis on the importance of providing protection to Palestinian civilians. Minister Marsudi cited the independent commission's report earlier this year indicating human rights violations by the occupying power, including violence against the media and health workers in Palestine. To this end, Marsudi reiterated the importance of offering international protection to Palestinian civil society.

Under the second measure, the Indonesian government also focused on the necessity to take concrete steps to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Minister Marsudi affirmed that the efforts to bring about an improvement in the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian society is one of the key measures to be adopted. She lauded the UNWRA for its various programs implemented to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Marsudi further echoed Indonesia's readiness to continue to support UNRWA's endeavors.

Finally, the Indonesian government has pushed for restarting the peace process between Israel and Palestine without further delay. Hence, it is necessary to promptly establish a credible peace process that guarantees equality for all parties in peace negotiations.

"The new perspective in the peace process does not mean overlooking the prevailing global parameters. For Indonesia, there is no other alternative than the two-state solution," Marsudi stated.

In addition to the Palestinian issue, the Indonesian foreign minister emphasized that the security condition in the Middle East will impact the global security situation. Hence, the UN Security Council should ensure concrete progress.

The meeting, led by the Indonesian foreign minister, demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to the peace process in the Middle East, particularly the issue of peace in Palestine. During its membership in the Security Council, Indonesia has consistently voiced the struggle of the Palestinian people as one of the priority issues.  (ANTARA)