VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia has strongly criticized Israel's position through Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich who denied the existence of the Palestinian people in his speech in Paris some time ago.

"Indonesia strongly condemns the attitude of the Israeli Minister of Finance who denies the existence of the Palestinian people and does not respect the existence and territorial sovereignty of Jordan," wrote the official Twitter account for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday (22/3).

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its stance to consistently support the struggle of the Palestinian people.

"Indonesia continues to consistently support the struggle of the Palestinian people and respect Jordan's territorial sovereignty," wrote the Foreign Ministry.

Smotrich sparked the anger of many parties after addressing a conference in Paris, France.

“Is there a genuine history or culture of Palestine? There isn't anything. There is no such thing as a Palestinian," he said in excerpts of a speech Sunday (19/3/2023) at a conference in France that was widely shared on social media.

Smotrich, who leads a nationalist-religious party in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, delivered the speech the same day Israeli and Palestinian officials met in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for de-escalation talks ahead of the holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.

“Who was the first Palestinian king? What language do Palestinians speak? Was there ever a Palestinian currency?” he said.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh strongly criticized Smotrich's remarks. He said it was an incitement to violence.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also said that by denying the existence of the Palestinian people and their legitimate national rights in their homeland, Israeli leaders have encouraged an environment that fuels Jewish extremism and terrorism against the Palestinian people.

Bezalel Smotrich also angered neighboring Jordan for speaking at a podium covered with a variation of the Israeli flag that denotes the state of Israel with borders spanning the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and Jordan.

Jordan, who made peace with Israel in 1994, also voiced outrage over the flag on the stage beside him. Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sinan al Majali said his ministry had summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest directly.

“This is irresponsible, provocative behavior by an incumbent minister and violates international norms and the Jordan-Israel peace agreement. This extremist behavior is pushing towards escalation,” said Sinan al Majali.

Majali said Jordan asked the Israeli government to take a clear and honest position. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia has reiterated its commitment to support development in Pacific countries, including in Papua New Guinea. Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said the Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development (IPFD) meeting which was held in December 2022 had become the basis for Indonesia's involvement in supporting development in the Pacific.

"As we strive to grow and develop together, last December's IPFD has served as a platform for greater engagement between Indonesia and the Pacific, establishing project areas that will support development and prosperity in the Pacific," said Retno Marsudi in a statement submitted online, after attending the 3rd Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting with Papua New Guinea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Justin Wayne Tkatchenko, in Jakarta, Tuesday (21/3).

In addition, Retno Marsudi also emphasized Indonesia's commitment to strengthening cooperation in the education sector. According to her, Indonesia is ready to offer scholarships for students from Papua New Guinea to continue their education in Indonesia.

"And we are also committed to continuing cooperation in revitalizing public and health facilities in Vanimo and Port Moresby," she added.

As part of the Pacific, Indonesia, according to Retno Marsudi, will continue to ensure that the Asia-Pacific Region becomes an inseparable part of a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

In addition, she said, as Chair of ASEAN, Indonesia also wanted to encourage greater involvement between ASEAN and Pacific countries, including by encouraging cooperation between secretariats, namely between the ASEAN Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forums (PIF) Secretariat.

"In this regard, Indonesia invites Pacific countries, of course including Papua New Guinea, to participate in the Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum (IPIF), as a forum to encourage concrete cooperation between countries in the Indo-Pacific," she said.

Furthermore, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea share the same vision about the importance of the Pacific's voice being heard in overcoming common global challenges such as disaster management, climate change, and the blue economy.

"Indonesia is firmly committed to this goal and will continue to bridge the Pacific to the world," she added.

Retno Marsudi underlined Indonesia's commitment to make Papua New Guinea one of Indonesia's closest neighbors and strategic partners. He also conveyed Indonesia's readiness to continue to foster close cooperation with Papua New Guinea based on mutual respect, trust, and benefits. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held the 3rd Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Wayne Tkatchenko at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday (21/3). During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi mentioned a number of spaces that could be utilized by the two countries to develop bilateral cooperation in the trade sector.

"Including through simplifying and streamlining the customs process, facilitating a stronger logistics network, and encouraging the formation of the Indonesia - Papua New Guinea Joint Business Council," he said in a statement delivered online after attending the JMC.

She also appreciated the positive trend that has continued in bilateral trade between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in the last five years.

"The reopening of the post-pandemic Wutung - Skouw border has also contributed to the increase in the number of visits by Papua New Guineans to Skouw Market," she said.

In addition, she said, overall, the two countries agreed to take concrete steps to start negotiating the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

"Indonesia is committed to speeding up the process by preparing a joint feasibility study that will combine the views of our two countries," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Meanwhile in the investment sector, Retno Marsudi said the two countries also discussed the possibility of cooperation in involving Indonesian BUMNs to invest in Papua New Guinea, including in the energy sector, communication services and the pharmaceutical industry.

"We agreed to explore concrete economic results in the future," she said. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met with Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Justin Wayne Tkatchenko in the context of the 3rd Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The two countries held the same meeting in 2010.

"For both of us this is the second meeting in 4 months after our last meeting on the sidelines of the IPFD, AIS and BDF meetings in Bali last December," said Retno in a joint statement after the meeting, at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office, Jakarta, monitored online, Tuesday (21/3).

Retno Marsudi said that at the JMC meeting, the two countries exchanged views on the progress of the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea bilateral relationship. According to him, Indonesia welcomed Papua New Guinea's ratification of two bilateral agreements with Indonesia.

"Agreement on Implementation of Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders and the Basic Agreement on Border Arrangements," said Retno.

Meanwhile in the defense sector, according to Retno Marsudi, Indonesia hopes that Papua New Guinea can support the acceleration of the ongoing ratification process.

In addition, according to Retno, the two countries are also committed to ensuring the protection of citizens abroad.

"In relation to this, we agreed to assign our officials to draw up a Compulsory Consular Notification Agreement," she said.

Papua New Guinea is a country close to Indonesia. According to Retno, the two countries share a long land border, and are strategic partners for Indonesia in establishing deeper partnerships with Pacific countries.

Indonesia, according to Retno, also highly appreciates Papua New Guinea's strong and consistent support for Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. (VOI/Andy)