Foreign Minister Retno Wants OKI Countries To Be An Example In Supporting The Recognition Of Palestinian Countries

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi when delivering a press statement with representatives of OIC member countries. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Member countries of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must be an example in supporting recognition of the Palestinian State, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the Ministerial Level OIC Coordination Meeting, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States on Friday.

"OIC countries must be role models in supporting recognition of the Palestinian State," said Foreign Minister Retno in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saturday, September 28.

Reaffirming the message also conveyed to the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (GNB), Foreign Minister Retno encouraged OIC countries to take advantage of their influence, to advance two main things, namely increasing the number of countries recognizing Palestine.

As well as encouraging the effective implementation of the UN General Assembly's Resolution ES-10/24, which demands Israel to end its illegal presence in the Palestinian Population Area.

"If implemented, the ES-10/24 Resolution will be another step forward in realizing the Palestinian State," said Foreign Minister Retno.

"This resolution will guide countries in encouraging the fulfillment of Palestinian rights, therefore, OIC countries must provide political support to the Secretary General of the United Nations to implement, report, and monitor the implementation of the Resolution," he explained.

Closing her speech, Foreign Minister Retno said, as a big family, the organization determined the future of the OIC by itself.

For this reason, Foreign Minister Retno invites OIC countries to help each other, so that no single OIC country is left behind.

"OKI is a big family, our future is in our own hands, therefore we must help each other so that no single OIC country is left behind," he exclaimed.

It is known that the OIC was formed in 1969 with the aim of increasing Islamic solidarity among member countries, supporting international peace and security, protecting Islamic holy places, and helping the struggle for the formation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State.

Currently, the OIC consists of 57 members who are Islamic countries or Muslim-majority countries.