Indonesian FM appreciates Slovenia’s recognition of Palestine during bilateral meeting

Slovenia also provided support through an ‘advisory opinion’ at the ICJ (International Court of Justice). The country is one of the few European Union member states that took this step.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, discussed the Palestinian issue and efforts to increase bilateral cooperation, especially economic cooperation, during a bilateral meeting with her Slovenian counterpart, Tanja Fajon, in Ljubljana, Slovenia on Wednesday (June 26).

Foreign Minister Retno expressed her appreciation to Slovenia for the decision to recognize the State of Palestine on June 4, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a written statement on Thursday.

Slovenia becomes the 145th UN member state and the 10th European Union member state to recognize Palestine.

The Indonesian minister likewise appreciated Slovenia’s consistency in supporting Palestine. Slovenia has consistently called for the importance of a ceasefire and the importance of the smooth provision of humanitarian assistance, by supporting the work of UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).

Like Indonesia, Slovenia, which has increased its assistance to UNRWA, is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and in voting on Palestine, this country always supports and votes YES.

Slovenia also provided support through an advisory opinion at the ICJ (International Court of Justice). The country is one of the few European Union member states that took this step. Indonesia has also provided an advisory opinion, both written and verbal, before the ICJ.

“I really appreciate that Slovenia has decided to be on the right side of history. This shows Slovenia’s leadership and consistency in respecting international law and the UN Charter, including the Palestinian issue,”  Retno said.

The two foreign ministers agreed to work together to continue seeking peace and fighting for Palestinian rights.

In the economic sector, the two foreign ministers agreed to increase trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. Trade and investment trends between the two countries are recorded as continuing to increase.

So far, Indonesia has enjoyed a trade surplus from Slovenia, mainly from coal exports.

The two ministers also discussed efforts to diversify trade, including beyond commodity-based, such as paper, footwear, artificial fiber, electronic machines, apparel, plastic, printed books, cotton and motor vehicles.

In particular, Retno said that even though its population is relatively small, Slovenia has the port of Koper which can be used as an alternative port for the entry of Indonesian goods to Central and Eastern Europe.

Indonesian entrepreneurs are also starting to make business contacts with Slovenia. The Indonesian foreign minister invited Slovenian businesspeople to participate in the 2nd Indonesia-Europe Business Forum (IEBF) in Jakarta, which will be held on October 7-8, and also the Indonesian Trade Expo (TEI) on October 9-12.

The two foreign ministers also discussed efforts to speed up the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership (Indonesia-EU CEPA) negotiations because this would open wider doors for efforts to improve trade and investment relations.

Retno’s visit was the first one by an Indonesian foreign minister to Slovenia in the last 21 years. Previously, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda visited in 2003. Foreign Minister Fajon visited Indonesia in May 2023, while the Slovenian Foreign Minister’s previous visit to Indonesia was in 2006.

Reporting by Indonesia Window