Malaysia Strengthens Ties With Palestine and Algeria in Bilateral Talks at OIC Meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held bilateral discussions with senior representatives from Palestine and Algeria as Kuala Lumpur continued strengthening its diplomatic engagement with key partners in the Muslim world.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

During his meeting with Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen, Mohamad reiterated Malaysia’s continued support for the Palestinian cause across international platforms.

He said the Palestinian issue remained close to the hearts of Malaysians and stressed that Malaysia would continue standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Malaysia also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its longstanding relationship with Palestine, including continued assistance for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Palestinian non-governmental organisations.

During the talks, Aghabekian Shaheen briefed Mohamad on conditions facing Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to her account, Palestinians continue to face killings, starvation and what she described as genocide in the Gaza Strip. She also raised concerns about shortages of humanitarian aid and the failure to keep border crossings fully and sustainably open for the delivery of essential supplies.

She further highlighted increasing violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, which she said was threatening Palestinian lives and their continued presence on their land.

Malaysia has consistently placed the Palestinian issue among its major foreign-policy priorities, particularly through diplomatic engagement at the OIC and other international forums.

Mohamad’s latest meeting reinforces Kuala Lumpur’s position that humanitarian assistance and international diplomatic pressure remain important components of its engagement on Palestine.

The discussion also came as OIC foreign ministers gathered to examine the latest developments involving Palestine.

In a separate meeting, Mohamad held discussions with Algerian Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the National Community Abroad and African Affairs Ahmed Attaf.

The talks focused on bilateral relations and ways to further expand cooperation between Malaysia and Algeria.

Among the issues discussed were Malaysian investments in Algeria and efforts to strengthen economic links between both countries.

The ministers also discussed the establishment of a direct air connection between Algiers and Kuala Lumpur, following the inaugural Air Algérie service on March 29, 2026.

Both sides viewed the direct air link as an important development that could support stronger business, tourism and people-to-people connections between Malaysia and Algeria.

Growing air connectivity also provides Malaysian businesses with easier access to the North African market while strengthening Algeria’s links with Southeast Asia.

Malaysia and Algeria agreed to hold official-level discussions next year to identify concrete measures for further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The planned consultations are expected to follow up on areas including investment and other opportunities arising from the expanding relationship between the two countries.

Both ministers also noted that people-to-people ties have strengthened in recent years, supported by rising Malaysian investment in Algeria and improved direct connectivity.

The latest meeting highlights Algeria’s growing significance in Malaysia’s diplomatic and economic engagement with North Africa.

Greater cooperation could create opportunities for Malaysian companies seeking access to Algeria and neighbouring markets, while the direct aviation link could encourage greater movement of tourists, business travellers and officials between both countries.

The planned follow-up discussions in 2027 will be important in determining which areas of cooperation move from diplomatic discussions into concrete programmes.

Mohamad’s meetings with Palestinian and Algerian counterparts also illustrate Malaysia’s wider use of multilateral gatherings such as the OIC to advance both political and economic priorities.

While the talks with Palestine centred largely on humanitarian and diplomatic issues, discussions with Algeria focused more heavily on bilateral economic cooperation, investment and connectivity.

Together, the meetings reflect Malaysia’s effort to maintain its long-standing support for Palestine while simultaneously expanding diplomatic and commercial relationships across the Muslim world.