"This forum will further open up economic opportunities for our brothers and sisters from Palestine," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.
Jakarta (Antara News) - Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened the Conference Among Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) II in the Pancasila Building at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, here on Saturday.

In his keynote speech, President Yudhoyono addressed the role of East Asian countries in supporting Palestinian development. He added that the present conference is expected to build on the achievements from the first CEAPAD meeting held in Japan last year.

President Yudhoyono said that through the collective efforts of CEAPAD, all participants should seize the momentum created by the renewed worldwide commitment to support Palestine.

"We are also here to assist them (Palestinian) in realizing a free and sovereign state in their own homeland, by way of providing capacity building," he said.

This also includes assistance to Palestine through the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP).

Through NAASP, countries in the Asian and African region can pledge their help in the form of assistance in educations and jobs for 10,000 Palestinians for a period of five years.

President Yudhoyono emphasized that Indonesia had provided 1,200 forms of assistance for Palestinian development.

In regards to Indonesias initiative to include the private sector as a critical part of Palestinian development, Yudhoyono said he is pleased that CEAPAD II organized sideline events that included a business forum and trade expo.

"This forum will further open up economic opportunities for our brothers and sisters from Palestine," he stressed.

President Yudhoyono also noted that Middle East peace and stability is one of the important factors in building Palestines future, as well as addressed comments about the transformations seen throughout the Middle East, including in Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia.

"We pray that peace and stability will soon prevail in the Middle East. Bearing in mind the strategic location of this region, much is at stake for the world if prolonged uncertainty there remains," Yudhoyono added. ***1***
(T.A060/A/KR-BSR/F001) 01-03-2014 12:36:40

Reporter: Azi Fitriyanti
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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