JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia and Egypt have strongly condemned the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and reaffirmed their support for Palestinian statehood.
Both countries also expressed deep concern over escalating violence, Israeli military operations and violations of international law, particularly those affecting Palestinian civilians.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said both countries shared serious concerns over violence and human rights violations, particularly those affecting women, children and the elderly.
"We strongly condemn the construction of illegal Israeli settlements, as well as actions that further worsen the situation,” he said in a joint press statement with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi following their talks in Jakarta on Sunday.
Prabowo reaffirmed Indonesia's position that a two-state solution remained the only path to peace, while both countries pledged continued support for Palestinian self-determination, humanitarian assistance and Gaza's recovery and reconstruction.
On the wider Middle East situation, Prabowo said both leaders called for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law under the United Nations Charter, warning that further escalation could threaten civilian safety, global stability and the world economy.
Meanwhile, Indonesia and Egypt have agreed to deepen cooperation in education, defence and maritime affairs, with Cairo pledging additional scholarships for Indonesian students following talks between their leaders in Jakarta on Sunday.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the commitments were agreed upon during discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership.
"We appreciate Egypt's offer of additional scholarships, particularly in medicine, engineering and science,” he said at a joint press conference, adding that both countries would expand student exchanges, university partnerships and joint research.
On defence, Prabowo said both sides agreed to strengthen defence industry cooperation, joint education and training, and exchanges involving military leaders and experts.
He also thanked Egypt for supporting Indonesian Navy vessels undertaking United Nations peacekeeping missions in West Asia.
In maritime affairs, both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in sustainable development, marine resource conservation, combating illegal fishing and exchanges of expertise.
Prabowo said the visit also resulted in several bilateral agreements covering maritime affairs and fisheries, statistics, investment, defence industry cooperation, trade and economic cooperation, alongside an action plan to advance their strategic partnership.
El-Sisi arrived in Jakarta on Saturday following a visit to Malaysia, marking his first state visit to Indonesia in 11 years. He last visited the country in September 2015, when he met then-President Joko Widodo.
-- BERNAMA
