jfid – Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, continued her working visit to Europe with a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
The meeting took place amidst Indonesia’s diplomatic efforts to garner international support for the recognition of the Palestinian state and to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Held at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, the discussions covered a range of strategic issues, from Palestinian recognition to cooperation in green energy and education.
Recognition of the Palestinian State
A central topic in the meeting was the recognition of the Palestinian state. Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of this recognition for fostering peace and supporting the implementation of the two-state solution.
“Recognizing the Palestinian state is a crucial step towards promoting sustainable peace in the Middle East,” Retno Marsudi stated following the meeting.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb welcomed this push, although he noted that the recognition would occur “at some point in the future.
“This statement indicates that Finland is still considering various aspects before making a final decision.
Humanitarian Aid
In addition to discussing political recognition, Retno Marsudi appreciated the humanitarian aid Finland has provided to Palestine through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
“We highly appreciate Finland’s contribution in providing much-needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people,” said Retno Marsudi.
Bilateral Cooperation
The meeting also served as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Finland. Both countries agreed to expand cooperation in various fields, including green energy, education, and the development of smart cities.
“Cooperation in green energy and education is a top priority for both countries in facing current global challenges,” Retno Marsudi explained.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who was also present at the meeting, added that Finland is very interested in sharing experience and technology in the development of smart cities and renewable energy with Indonesia.
“We see many opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in these fields,” said Valtonen.
Trade Growth
Economic relations between Indonesia and Finland have also shown a positive trend. The trade value between the two countries continues to increase, with last year’s trade value reaching USD 713 million, up 22% from 2019.
In the first quarter of this year, trade value even increased by 40% compared to the same period last year. “This increase reflects the great potential in the economic relationship between the two countries that we need to continue developing,” said Retno Marsudi.
Global Conflict Issues
During the meeting, Retno Marsudi and President Stubb also discussed other global issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and the importance of ceasefire in various conflict areas.
The two leaders agreed that ceasefires need to be enacted swiftly to prevent further escalation and to promote peaceful dialogue. “A ceasefire is a very important initial step to create conditions conducive to peaceful negotiations,” said Retno Marsudi.
