Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister, Riadh Al Maliki held Indonesia-Palestine bilateral consultation at the Pancasila building, Foreign Affairs Ministry Office, Jakarta on Tuesday October 16th 2018. The consultation that was held for the first time is place to translate the two countries good relations into concrete cooperation and real assistance. The two ministers also signed an MOU to establish a joint commission that will be discussed in a forum to elevate bilateral cooperation in technical sector. On her statement, Retno Marsudi said that Indonesia - Palestine bilateral consultation is part of a series of activities of the solidarity week for Palestine.

“This bilateral consultation is the first time between Indonesia and Palestine since the opening of diplomatic relation almost 30 years ago. Minister Riadh comes to Indonesia together with me to participate in solidarity week for Palestine that was held from October 13th to 17th. As you all know there has been a series of activities in this event. The activities that were held in Bandung or Jakarta are the reflection and symbol of government’s consistent support and Indonesian people for Palestinians’ struggle,” said Retno Marsudi.

According to Retno the two states reinforce their cooperation in trade especially between business people through the establishment of Indonesia-Palestine business council. On the same occasion, Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister, Riadh Al Maliki stated the appreciation on Indonesian free tariff policy for Palestine’s products since 2018 is one of major factors for Palestine independence. On the solidarity week for Palestine the two ministers also officially opened the Palestine walk in Bandung on October 13^th, 2018 and walk for peace and humanity in Jakarta on October 14th. Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister also paid a courtesy visit to President Joko Widodo on October 15th, and visited National Agency of Food and Drug Control (BPOM) ./(VOI/REZHA/TRANS NUKE/AHM)