Jokowi calls for solidarity with Palestine at the ASEAN-Australia Summit

Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized solidarity with Palestine and called for an end to the genocide in the Gaza Strip, at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit which took place in Melbourne on March 4-6 2024.

"The President again emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and an invitation to "continue to provide support to UNRWA (the UN agency for Palestinian refugees)," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in the transcript of her press statement, Wednesday.

In the second session of the Summit which raised the theme "Our Vision for the Region and Addressing Shared Challenges ", President Jokowi also emphasized the importance of ASEAN countries and Australia continuing to respect international law.

" Rule based orders must be enforced without double standards, and no country should be above the law," said Retno, referring to Jokowi's statement.

Regarding the geopolitical situation, President Jokowi encouraged ASEAN and Australia to continue to strengthen the spirit and paradigm of cooperation so that there is no decline in trust. 

"Inclusive cooperation is very important to create strategic trust . "The President also hopes that Australia can become a bridge for ASEAN cooperation with PIF (Pacific Island Countries Forum) and with IORA (Association of Indian Ocean Rim Countries)," said Retno.

The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit was held to commemorate 50 years of partnership between the two parties.

Australia is ASEAN's first dialogue partner and is also the first partner to have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.

ASEAN (the association of countries in Southeast Asia) was founded on August 8 1967 and currently has 10 member countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. 

ASEAN has in principle accepted Timor Leste as its 11th member and allowed the country to take part in all ASEAN meetings, including at the head of state/government level.