RAMALLAH, February 26, 2014 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamadallah, travelled Wednesday to Indonesia to participate in the second Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD II) .

The Palestinian PM, Dr. Rami Hamadalla, travelled to Jakarta to participate in the CEAPAD II conference to be held on Saturday March 1 and he is leading a Palestinian government delegation that includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riad al-Malki, the Minister of National Economy, Jawad Naji, the Minister of Planning and Administrative Development, Mohammad Abu Ramadan in addition to other officials.

Antara News Agency reported the Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia, Fariz Mehdawi, as saying: “On Friday, the Prime Minister will attend Friday prayers in Istiqlal Grand Mosque, pay homage to the Kalibata heroes’ cemetery, hold a bilateral meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and attend a state banquet to be hosted by the Indonesian president.'

According to Antara News Agency, Hamdallah and Yudhoyono are expected to discuss and exchange views over the current situation in Palestine and other relevant topics concerning the peace efforts. The bilateral cooperation will be at the center of the talks and several Memoranda of Understanding of cooperation between the two countries could be signed.

On Saturday (March 1), the two leaders are scheduled to give key speeches in the opening ceremony of the CEAPAD II which will identify the expectations of Palestine and what capacities that CEAPADs member countries could offer to help Palestine in building a viable state with a solid institutions and active economy.

Antara News Agency quoted Indonesia's Presidential Aide for International Relations, Teuku Feizasyah, as saying: “Yudhoyono and Hamdallah are scheduled to discuss the latest developments, especially in the Middle East,” noting that Yudhoyono will reiterate Indonesia's commitment to continually supporting the independence and sovereignty of Palestine.

Antara News Agency also reported that in coincidence with the Conference,  the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will organize a two-day CEAPAD Business Meeting and Trade Expo in Jakarta from March 1 to 2, 2014, in which 29 Palestinian businesses will display their products, such as food products,  pharmaceuticals products, glass ware, stone marbles, handicraft, dates, and olive oil.

 Antara News Agency also reported that representatives of international organizations, such as the UN, the Arab League, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Quartet Office (UK), the United States, Australia, Norway, Turkey and a number of Arab states are also expected attend the meeting as observers/guests.

 The 2nd Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) is a forum aimed at increasing contribution of participating countries to the Palestinian national development efforts, especially through capacity-building programs.

K.F./T.R.