Jakarta, July 23 -- Indonesia has called on Japan and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to optimize the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) to strengthen support for Palestine.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the cooperation forum must foster a spirit of solidarity among its members to provide concrete support for Palestine's recovery and long-term development.

"For Indonesia, Palestine is not merely a humanitarian issue. It is a matter of justice, dignity, and the right of the Palestinian people to rebuild their future," Sugiono said in an official statement released here on Thursday.

CEAPAD was established at Japan's initiative in 2013 as...