MALAYSIA AND D-8 MEMBER STATES ADOPTED A DECLARATION ON THE SITUATION IN GAZA 8 JUNE 2024
MALAYSIA AND D-8 MEMBER STATES ADOPTED A DECLARATION ON THE SITUATION IN GAZA 8 JUNE 2024
YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan led the Malaysian Delegation to the Developing Eight Organisation for Economic Cooperation (D-8) Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, on 8 June 2024, which was also attended by his counterparts and representatives from the D-8 Member States.
At the Meeting, the Foreign Minister articulated Malaysia’s firm position on the issue of Palestine and emphasised on four key points, namely, for the D-8 to collectively (i) support the call for a permanent and effective ceasefire; ii) to not render aid or assistance to Israel including any economic dealings that contribute to the funding of its military and its illegal occupation of the Palestinian land; (iii) increase humanitarian assistance, and ensure safe and unimpeded access to delivering aid; and (iv) establish and formalise collaboration between the D-8 and the State of Palestine.
Malaysia and other Member States of the D-8 showcased strong support to the Palestinian cause, as reflected in the outcome Declaration of the Extraordinary Meeting, which, among others, expresses strong condemnation of Israel’s continued aggression in the Gaza Strip and the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and affirmation of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Declaration also demanded an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire, and supports all efforts towards empowering the Palestinian economy as well as rebuilding Gaza following the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister of Turkiye, H.E. Hakan Fidan. It was a friendly meeting between the two Ministers, where various international, regional and bilateral issues of mutual concern were discussed, particularly on the situation in Gaza.
He also had informal discussions with his counterparts on how the D-8 could increase efforts to find solutions to the plight of the Palestinians.
Malaysia’s participation at the Extraordinary Meeting was part of Malaysia’s continuous efforts at various multilateral platforms in support of Palestine and to find ways and means to end atrocities in Palestine.
In the same vein, the Foreign Minister will lead the Malaysian Delegation to the High-Level Conference “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza,” which will be held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 11 June 2024.
Malaysia’s participation at the Conference, at the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt, and Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, is testament to Malaysia’s unwavering effort in ensuring unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians. The Foreign Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, to take stock of the progress of bilateral cooperation and explore new areas of cooperation, including in the context of humanitarian response to Gaza.
Malaysia remains committed to the efforts of establishing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and the admission of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations.
PUTRAJAYA
9 June 2024