Support UNRWA, Jokowi Calls For Palestinian Solidarity At The ASEAN-Australia Summit

President Jokowi attended the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, Tuesday (5/3/2024). (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press Setpres)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized solidarity with Palestine and called for the termination of genocide in the Gaza Strip, at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit which took place in Melbourne on March 4-6, 2024.

"The president again emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and calls to continue to provide support to UNRWA (UN agency for Palestinian refugees)," said Foreign Minister (Foreign Minister) Retno Marsudi in a transcript of her press statement, Wednesday, March 6, which was confiscated by Antara.

In the second session of the Summit with the theme 'Our Vision for the Region and Addressing Shared Challenges', President Jokowi also emphasized the importance of ASEAN and Australian countries continuing to respect international law.

"Rule based orders must be enforced without double standards, and no country should be above the law," said Retno, referring to Jokowi's statement.

Regarding the geopolitical situation, President Jokowi encouraged ASEAN and Australia to continue to strengthen the spirit and paradigm of cooperation so that there would be no decrease in trust.

Inclusive cooperation is very important in order to create strategic trust. The President also hopes that Australia can become a bridge for ASEAN cooperation with PIF (Forum for Pacific Islands countries) and with IORA (Association of Indian Ocean Rings)," he said.

The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the two parties.

Australia is ASEAN's first dialogue partner and is also the first partner to have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

ASEAN, which was founded on August 8, 1967, currently consists of 10 countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

ASEAN has in principle accepted Timor Leste as its 11th member and allowed the country to attend all ASEAN meetings, including at the level of head of state/government.