President Jokowi Chairs Limited Cabinet Meeting in Preparation for OIC Extraordinary Summit

Jakarta, 25 Rabi End 1437/5 February 2016 (MINA) – President Djoko Widodo led a limited cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office here Wednesday in preparation for the upcoming Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Palestinian issue in Jakarta early next month.

The summit is held in view of the latest developments to be anticipated to support the Palestinian cause.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a press conference after the meeting said the summit, which invites more than 56 heads of state/head of government, is very important.

There are several reasons why this summit is very important for Indonesia, the OIC, and also the world, according to a press statement issued by the Cabinet Secretariat and received by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

“First is the Al-Quds condition did not improve at this time. The second is the negotiations within the context of the quartet has been stopped since May 2015. The third is that the current world situation is very dynamic so if there is a distraction issue, the Palestinian issue is feared will be eliminated, ” she said.

She also revealed that the summit is at the request of the Palestinians and the Secretary General of OIC.

The extraordinary summit is scheduled for March 6 and 7, with the expected attendance of 56 heads of state and government, four observers, as well as the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.

Morocco, which was Initially requested to host the meeting, had to bow out as it said it would not be able to host in time (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)