Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi will inaugurate the Indonesian Republics Honorary Consul office and the appointed official in charge in Ramallah, Palestine, on March 13.
"On March 13, the foreign affairs minister will travel to Ramallah, mainly to inaugurate the honorary consuls office and the elected consul Mrs. Maha Abu-Shusheh," the Foreign Affairs Ministrys spokesman, Nasir Arrmanatha, stated here on Thursday.
According to Arrmanatha, the opening of the Honorary Consul office of Indonesia in Ramallah is a testament to the countrys commitment and political support to the Palestinians and will serve as the Indonesian representative in Ramallah.
Arrmanatha noted that the Indonesian Honorary Consuls task in Ramallah was to boost economic and social relations between the Indonesian and Palestinian people as well as to provide protection to the Indonesian citizens in Ramallah.
"The duties of the Indonesian Honorary Consul are to intensify cultural cooperation between Indonesia and Palestine, promote investment and tourism, and to protect the citizens whenever the need arises," Arrmanatha pointed out.
Ramallah was chosen as the location for the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia as it is the administrative center and a tourist destination in Palestine.
"Every year, some 50 thousand Indonesian tourists travel to Palestine, including Muslim and Christian pilgrims. We think that an Honorary Consul is needed there (Ramallah) to safeguard Indonesias interests in Palestine," Arrmanatha added.
Apart from inaugurating the Honorary Consul, Foreign Minister Marsudi is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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