President Jokowi-Foreign Minister Wang Yi Discusses the Need for Middle East De-escalation

"In this communication, Indonesia emphasized three things. "The first is the importance of restraint, the second is the importance of de-escalation, and the third is asking countries to use their influence to avoid escalation," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi at the Presidential Palace Complex after accompanying the President to receive Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

During the meeting, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung were also present. Wang Yi was accompanied by China's Ambassador to Indonesia, Lu Kang.

Also read: Indonesia and China Support Palestine at the UN

Also present were Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information Mao Ning, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs Liang Jianjun, and Second Secretary of the Department of Asian Affairs Li Jibin.

Wang Yi did not provide information to journalists at the Palace. He only greeted journalists at the Presidential Palace Complex and said, "Nice weather."

In that communication, Indonesia emphasized three things. Firstly, the importance of restraint, secondly the importance of de-escalation, and thirdly, urging countries to use their influence to prevent escalation.

Wang and Foreign Minister Retno

Previously, Wang Yi held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Retno at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office. From the Palace, Wang Yi is also scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is also the presidential candidate with the most votes in the 2024 Presidential Election according to the KPU vote count.

Wang Yi will also attend a high level dialogue regarding the cooperation mechanism (high level dialogue on the cooperation mechanism/HDCM) in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Friday (19/4/2024). This event was led by Foreign Minister Retno and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan from the Indonesian side, while from the Chinese side it was led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In the earlier discussion, the position of China and Indonesia is the same on this issue, and the President has also expressed his belief that China will use its influence to prevent escalation.

"In the earlier discussion, China's position and Indonesia's position were the same on this issue and the President also expressed his confidence that China will use its influence to prevent escalation," said Retno.

Apart from that, said Retno, the Chinese government emphasized its support for Palestinian independence through a two-state solution, exactly the same as Indonesia's position. Both parties—Indonesia and China—also agreed that resolving the Palestinian issue must be carried out fairly through a two-state solution if they want to see stability in the Middle East.

Earlier there was also an exchange of use regarding the support of the majority of UN member states for full membership of Palestine in the UN.

"Earlier, an exchange of use was also carried out regarding the support of the majority of UN member states for full membership of Palestine in the UN. "In this case, once again Indonesia's position and the PRC's position are the same, that we fully support Palestine's full membership in the UN," said Retno.

Also read: Indonesia-China Get More Friendly After Prabowo Meets Xi Jinping, This Is the Investment Value

Work hard to stop Iran-Israel

Retno stated that on Wednesday evening, she also communicated with the Hungarian Foreign Minister because Hungary is known to be quite close to Israel. From the diplomatic communication that was carried out, according to Retno, all parties hope that escalation can be avoided. Therefore, all parties must work hard and use all their influence.

"Therefore, we use our influence so that de-escalation occurs. And I convey the results of my discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Arab countries, and the United States, I will continue to communicate. Because we know the problem is quite complex, but all parties understand that if the issue of Palestine, the issue of Gaza is not resolved, it will be difficult to achieve stability in the region (Middle East)," he said.