Meet The President Of The UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi Raises Hopes About Palestine

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has asked the United Nations (UN) to take steps to resolve the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel.

This was expressed during a meeting with UN General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir, and the President of the UN Security Council currently held by China, Ambassador Zhang Jun as China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, upon arrival in New York, United States, Wednesday, May 19.

"In a meeting with the President of the UN Security Council currently held by China, I expressed hope that the UN Security Council can take concrete steps to address the worsening situation in Palestine", Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement On Thursday, May 20.

Furthermore, she explained, Indonesia will be present along with several Foreign Ministers of other countries in a special meeting of the UN General Assembly to be held this Thursday according to local time.

"This became the first meeting held in person attended by several foreign ministers. This certainly shows how important this issue concerning Palestine is to be discussed", she said.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Retno attended 'The Extraordinary Open-Ended Ministerial Meeting of OIC Executive Committee which was attended by 16 ministers and deputy ministers of member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss Israeli aggression in the Palestinian territories, particularly Al Quds and Gaza.

In the meeting, Indonesia proposed several key steps that the OIC should take. First, ensure unity between OIC member states and the unity of all stakeholders in Palestine.

"Without unity, the OIC would not be able to be a driver for international support for Palestine. Likewise, Palestine can only be independent if it is united", she explained.

Second, the OIC should seek to create an immediate ceasefire. "I call on each OIC country to use its influence to push for an immediate ceasefire", said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Third, to keep the OIC focused on helping the independence of the Palestinian people. The OIC, Retno said, should work harder to encourage the start of credible multilateral negotiations, guided by internationally agreed parameters to achieve sustainable peace.

"The struggle to support Palestine is far from over. The OIC union must be maintained to support the Palestinian cause. And Indonesia will continue to support the Palestinian struggle", said Foreign Minister Retno.