Foreign Minister Retno Appreciates Slovenia's Support and Real Steps Towards Palestine and the Crisis in Gaza

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Falon. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesia appreciates Slovenia's decision to recognize the State of Palestine, as well as its consistency in respecting international law and the UN Charter, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno when she met Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Falon during a working visit to the capital city of Ljubljana for two days on June 26-27. As the 145th UN member state and the 10th European Union member to recognize the State of Palestine, Foreign Minister Retno conveyed Indonesia's appreciation directly to Foreign Minister Falon.

"I really appreciate Slovenia for deciding to be on the right side of history. This shows Slovenia's leadership and consistency in respecting international law and the UN Charter, including for the case of Palestine," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday, June 27.

Foreign Minister Retno said that Slovenia has consistently called for the importance of a ceasefire and the smooth provision of humanitarian aid. It was said that Slovenia has consistently supported the work of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA).

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Slovenia has always voted 'YES' in various voting opportunities regarding Palestine, Foreign Minister Retno continued.

"Slovenia has also decided to provide an advisory opinion at the ICJ and is one of the few member states of the European Union that has taken this step. Indonesia has also provided an advisory opinion, both written and oral, in front of the ICJ," she explained.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno said that in addition to agreeing to work together to seek peace and fight for Palestinian rights in bilateral meetings, the two foreign ministers also focused on efforts to increase cooperation, especially economic, where the trade and investment trends of the two countries have continued to increase in the last five years.

Although in terms of population, Slovenia has the Port of Koper which can be used as an alternative for the entry of Indonesian goods into Central and Eastern Europe, said Foreign Minister Retno, adding that Indonesian entrepreneurs have also begun to make business contacts with Slovenia.

"If we look at the trade figures between the two countries, Indonesia has a very large surplus. Most of Indonesia's exports to Slovenia are coal," said Foreign Minister Retno.

"In the meeting, we discussed efforts to diversify trade, including outside commodity-based, such as paper, footwear, synthetic fiber, electronic machinery, apparel, plastic, printed books, cotton and motor vehicles," he said.

Foreign Minister Retno said the meeting also discussed efforts to accelerate negotiations on the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership, because we are sure that the Indonesia-EU CEPA will open wider doors for efforts to improve trade and investment relations.

"I also invite Slovenia, especially its business players, to attend the '2nd Indonesia-Europe Business Forum (IEBF)' in Jakarta on October 7-8, and the 'Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI)' on October 9-12," explained Foreign Minister Retno.

Foreign Minister Retno added that this is the first visit of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs after 21 years ago, when Foreign Minister Hassa Wirajuda visited Slovenia in 2003.

Foreign Minister Falon himself visited Indonesia in May last year. Previously, the Slovenian Foreign Minister visited Indonesia in 2006.

"In short, Slovenia and Indonesia are trying to reconnect their bilateral relations. Not only reconnect but also determined to strengthen it," said Foreign Minister Retno.