Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on February 28 paid an official visit to Indonesia to attend the second conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD II).
 
He was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Malki, National Economic Minister Jawad N.A.Hirzallah, and Minister of Planning and Administrative Development Mohammad Abu Ramadan.
This his first visit to Indonesia since he took office in June 2013.

While staying in Indonesia, PM Hamdallah held talks with Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, during which they compared notes on issues of mutual concern, especially ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Hamdallah expressed his thanks for Indonesia’s support to the Palestinian people during their struggle for independence and for peace in the Middle East.

The Indonesian Government has trained thousands of Palestinian officials and granted many scholarships to Palestinian students within the framework of the New Asian African Strategic Partnership (NAASP), he noted.

For his part, Yudhoyono reaffirmed Indonesia’s consistent support to the Palestinian people and an independent Palestine.

The two later witnessed the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding on economic, education and tourism cooperation between the two.

They are scheduled to deliver keynote speeches during the opening ceremony of CEAPAD II in Jakarta on March 1, which will highlight the expectations of Palestine and in what capacity the CEAPAD member countries can offer assistance to Palestine in building solid institutions and an active economy.
CEAPAD I was held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2013.-VNA