New York, Sept. 23 -- Indonesia is open to recognizing Israel, but only if Israel first acknowledges the independence and sovereignty of Palestine, Foreign Minister Sugiono said Monday.

Sugiono made the remarks following President Prabowo Subianto's address during the high-level general debate of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was discussed.

"This is not an unconditional recognition - specific conditions must be met," Sugiono told reporters at Indonesia's Permanent Mission to the UN.

He said Indonesia would only consider recognizing Israel if it fully recognizes Palestine as a free and sovereign state.

"If Israel acknowledges Palestine's sov...