Minister Retno arrived in Jidda on Wednesday (Jan. 20) to hold a series of meetings with Iyad Ameen Madani, the OIC secretary general, and several representatives of the OIC member countries, the Foreign Ministry noted in a press statement here on Friday.
After holding a series of bilateral talks, the Indonesian foreign minister attended OICs ministerial extraordinary meeting held on Thursday (Jan. 21) to discuss developments in the region.
In the meeting with the OIC secretary general, the Indonesian foreign minister expressed hoped that OIC member countries would increase their contribution to creating peace and stability in the Middle East, which constitutes a region with a predominant Muslim population.
Minister Retno also hoped that the OIC would encourage cooperation among Islamic countries, particularly in promoting Islam as a religion, which brings blessings for the entire world.
Apart from discussing developments in the Middle East, Marsudi also highlighted several issues that became the focus of attention, including increasing bilateral cooperation among members of the OIC to fight against radicalism and terrorism.
During the meeting between the Indonesian minister and the OIC secretary general, a plan was also discussed to establish a regional office of the OIC in Jakarta.
The presence of an OIC representative office in Jakarta is expected to extend the working program of the Islamic organization in the Asia-Pacific region and to demonstrate to the Islamic world that Islam, democracy, and modernity can co-exist in harmony.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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