Indonesian president, Palestinian PM hold bilateral talks

Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday met with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on the sidelines of the Asian African Business Summit held here, discussing ways to support Palestine in attaining full independence.

Speaking to the press conference after the meeting, President Widodo said that further meetings to discuss concrete moves to push forward the independence of Palestine would be conducted at the Asian African Summit 2015.

"Palestine is the only country which is being colonialized. Occupation in Palestine must be ended. Indonesia has demonstrated full support for independent Palestine through processes in the UN, "Widodo said after his meeting with Hamdallah.

To facilitate concrete supports towards independence of Palestine, Widodo asked Hamdallah to open an Indonesian honorary counsel office in Palestine.

"The prime minister said in the meeting that he would fully support Indonesia's idea as it would ease Indonesia's efforts in materializing its concrete moves to support independent Palestine, " Widodo said.

According to the president, Indonesia and Palestine agreed to expand bilateral trade and Palestine asked for tax exemption to help the nation export more to Indonesia.

Palestine declared its independence in November 1988, claiming Gaza Strip and West Bank as its territory. Endi