Palestinian Issues Dominate Discussions At Foreign Ministers' Meeting In Laos

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian issue dominated the discussion at the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministers meeting which took place in Vientiane, Laos, on Saturday 27 July.

Apart from being discussed by Indonesia, represented by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, the Palestinian issue was also raised by a number of other countries, namely Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, India, the United States, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Russia, New Zealand, and China.

Foreign Minister Retno said that in all bilateral meetings, Indonesia had highlighted justice and humanity for Palestine. He again voiced the call at the EAS meeting.

"This is not only about Palestine, but about justice and humanity," he said in a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted from Antara.

Retno understands that many EAS member states have made various efforts according to their capacity, both to talk to Israel and with various factions in Palestine with one goal, namely to push for a permanent ceasefire and soon in Gaza.

Many countries have also encouraged the entry of humanitarian aid and the creation of a conducive environment for the creation of lasting peace in the Middle East.

Furthermore, Retno conveyed the importance of all countries to speak louder that the two-state solution is the only possible solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"We all have to prevent continued efforts to realize one country's solutions. Ideas that lead to one state solution must be abolished," said Retno.

He explained several important steps that need to be taken in realizing a two-state solution, among others by supporting the full Palestinian membership in the UN Security Council and recognition of the Palestinian state.

Retno also emphasized that any attempt to label the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) as a terrorist organization must be stopped.

"Labeling UNRWA as a terrorist organization is completely unacceptable," he said firmly.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister invited EAS member countries to unite and in their respective capacities to help encourage the end of the war in Gaza and consistently fight for justice and humanity.

EAS is an open regional forum that has appeared in the East Asia region since 2005. At the beginning of its formation, there were 16 EAS participating countries, namely 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

The United States and the Russian Federation officially joined the EAS participants at the 6th EAS Summit in Bali, November 2011. Thus, the number of EAS participating countries is now 18.

EAS is a leadership-led Summit forum with ASEAN as a driving force in partnership with other member countries.