Meeting between Indonesian and PA Foreign Ministers – Joint press statement – Indonesian Foreign Ministry press release/Non-UN document

Joint Press Statement the Minister for Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Indonesia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestine National Authority 
 

1. The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda has met on Friday May 26th 2006, his counterpart Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahar who paid an official visit to Jakarta. This was the first visit of the Palestinian Government established following the last election on January 25th 2006 and constitutes a significant event in the relation between Indonesia and Palestine.

2. The meeting of the two ministers was set to discuss ways to support for the cause of Palestine at the international and regional level and also bilateral issues that will strengthen the relation between the two countries. It began by a Statement of Minister Wirajuda’s who extended his innermost congratulation to H.E. Minister Al-Zahar for his recent appointment as the Foreign Minister of Palestinian National Authority.

3. The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia conveyed his congratulation for the success of Palestinian Parliamentary Elections which was held in an open, honest, fair and democratic manner. Indonesia was firmly convinced that the very democratic election will facilitate the achievement of struggle for the Independent Palestinian State.

4. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has consistently emphasized its unwavering support for Palestinian strive in their stuggle to complete sovereignty and that it could continue the existing peace process and end the conflict and bring the Palestinian People to peace and prosperity.

5. The Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia conveyed his deep concern at the decision taken by several countries that they abruptly halted financial supports to the Palestinian National Authority. Accordingly, Indonesia is very keen to play a more active role in supporting Palestinian Government in the peace process and also help to finding solution to over come its financial crisis.

6. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority pointed out that his visit to Indonesia goes in line with the Palestinian diplomatic efforts to galvanize the Arab, Islamic and international support to the Palestinian People in facing the unjust besiege which is imposed by Israel, such besiege which had endangered the basic human daily needs including food, medicine and badly hindered the transfer of necessary funds for the civil servants and the vulnerable sectors of the Palestinian society.

7. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority emphasized the leading role of Indonesia whitin the Islamic Countries and its firm positions of support and solidarity with the struggle of the people of Palestine against the Israeli policies of aggression, repression and assassinations. In this regard, the Minister expressed the keenness of his government to consolidate and activate the Arab and Islamic dimensions of the Palestinian Cause and to further explore the forms, means and mechanism of channeling the assistance through the relevant agencies of the OIC such as the Al-Aqsa Fund which is managed by the Islamic Development Bank.

8. The Government of the Republic of Indonesia supports the Palestinian National dialogue which had been initiated by H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas and stresses the importance of consolidating the Palestinian National unity within the PLO.

9. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority appreciates the Indonesian genuine efforts aiming to achieve a just peace for the Palestinian Cause through a negotiated settlement leading to the establishment of a sovereign independent Palestinian State with Alquds as its Capital and the repatriation of the Palestinian Refugees to their original homes and properties.

10. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority reaffirmed the fact that Israel continues to deny the Holy and inalienable national rights of the Palestinian People, and violates all agreements and International Conventions. While it pretends in rhetoric the interest in negotiations, Israel continues to create new facts on ground through its daily aggressive colonial policy towards the Palestinian Land and People.

11. The Two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expand and deepen the bilateral cooperation between their both governments in various fields of mutual interest  such as health, higher education, research, culture and local governance. Both Ministers expressed their well to keep close ties of coordination and consultations at the diplomatic and political level.

12. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority expressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Republic of Indonesia his sincere gratitude to the People and Government of Indonesia for their principle positions and firm support to the Just Cause of the Palestinian People and for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and the Palestinian delegation during their official visit.