Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government, at the ASEAN-European Union Foreign Ministers Meeting, encouraged all ASEAN and European Union (EU) member states to increase their contribution to fighting for Palestinian independence.
The ASEAN-European Union Foreign Ministers Meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday (Jan 21), as noted in a written statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received here on Tuesday.
Indonesian Vice-Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir, leading the Indonesian delegation, delivered a speech at the meeting. He remarked that the two-state solution and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people are the two crucial areas in which the ASEAN and EU shall continue to cooperate.
"Political differences at international forums should not discourage the commitment to solving humanitarian issues that the Palestinian people are facing," the vice minister stated.
Since the two regions have succeeded in maintaining peace and stability, the Indonesian government expects that the ASEAN and EU will inspire other regions to continue to promote a culture of dialogue and peaceful resolution to conflicts.
Moreover, the ASEAN and EU need to strengthen cooperation in facing joint cross-national challenges, such as terrorism, radicalism, and irregular migration.
On the occasion, Vice Minister Fachir also invited the ASEAN and EU to strengthen partnership in contributing to solving various global challenges. In the field of economy, Indonesia has called on the ASEAN and EU to strengthen economic cooperation and to fight protectionist tendency.
The ministerial-level meeting was attended by foreign ministers or those representing 10 ASEAN member countries, 28 EU member nations, and ASEAN Secretary General.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. The meeting discussed various regional and global issues as well as evaluated 42 years of ASEAN-EU partnership this year.
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
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