Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa discussed the Palestinian issue with his counterparts in bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a foreign ministry press statement said here on Tuesday.

In a bilateral meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Portas, Marty said Indonesia had always encouraged a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian problem.

"Indonesia supports Palestine`s bid for UN membership, but the peace process must be put forward," Marty told Paulo Portas.

The two ministers also talked about other regional and international issues, and the Portuguese President`s plan to visit Indonesia in 2012.

In a meeting with Kazakhstan Foreign Affairs Minister Yerhan Kazykhanov, Marty emphasized the cooperation of the two countries through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The OIC must not be left behind in the discussions on Palestine in multilateral fora, he said.

Minister Marty on the occasion expressed appreciation for the Kazakhstan government`s assistance in the opening of the Indonesian embassy in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan.

He also held a bilateral meeting with Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Urmas Paet to discuss efforts to boost the bilateral ties.

According to Minister Paet, Estonia will appoint an honorary consul in Bali as the number of Estonian tourists to Bali is increasing.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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