"It is important for us. This is moral and material support for us. We hope that there will be more Indonesian tourists visiting Palestine," Hamdallah stated at a joint press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Merdeka Palace here on Friday.
At least 40 thousand Indonesians visit Palestine annually for religious tourism.
The Palestinian prime minister noted that the bilateral meeting just held between him and President Yudhoyono was important.
"This is an important meeting, and we hope that the bilateral cooperation between Palestine and Indonesia can become an example for cooperation between Palestine and other countries," he emphasized.
President Yudhoyono remarked that Indonesia will increase economic cooperation with Palestine, in addition to boosting cooperation in two other sectors.
"In the economic field, Indonesia and Palestine have agreed to increase cooperation in the future. We hope to explore new opportunities. We also discussed future cooperation in the oil and gas as well as other sectors," the Indonesian head of state claimed.
Yudhoyono also emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people relations, such as by providing scholarships and visits by Indonesian tourists to Palestine.
"Indonesia believes that Palestine will develop into an advanced country. We also hope that an independent Palestinian state will be soon realized," he asserted.
After holding a bilateral meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)s on the economic, education, and tourism cooperation.
The Palestinian delegation in the bilateral meeting comprised Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad Malki, National Economic Minister Jawad N.A. Hirzallah, Planning and Administrative Development Minister Mohammad Abu Ramadan, and Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Fariz N. Mehdawi.
Yudhoyono was accompanied, among others, by Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, and Chief of the National Police General Sutarman.
In the evening, President Yudhoyono hosted a state banquet for Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.
P008 (f001/INE/f001)
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
