French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the friendship between Indonesia and France is not merely symbolic but has evolved into a strong and meaningful partnership grounded in real cooperation.
This statement was made during Macron’s official state visit to Indonesia, where he was warmly welcomed by President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (May 28).
In his remarks, Macron expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception extended by Prabowo. He stressed that this visit marks an extraordinary opportunity to usher in a new chapter of the strategic partnership between the two nations—encompassing economic, technological, security, and cultural collaboration.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to mark a new stage in our strategic partnership, as just emphasized by the President, with renewed confidence in cooperation across the fields of economy, technology, and security,” Macron stated.
Indonesia and France have enjoyed diplomatic relations for 75 years, with significant progress achieved in the past decade. Macron also highlighted the critical role of the Indo-Pacific in France’s foreign policy, identifying Indonesia as a key partner in maintaining regional stability.
He noted the remarkable progress made in bilateral defense cooperation over the past several months, including joint training initiatives and the presence of French military units in the region. Additionally, both countries are focusing on cooperation in renewable energy, transportation, critical minerals, and the broader energy transition agenda.
Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to cultural collaboration. As a symbol of this shared spirit, France and Indonesia will sign a cultural agreement at the Borobudur Temple complex tomorrow—a symbolic gesture of the deepening friendship between the two nations.
“The friendship between Indonesia and France is not just a word; it grows stronger year after year. And today, that friendship has become a tangible reality,” he added.
Macron concluded his remarks by expressing his sincere gratitude to President Prabowo for the warm welcome and productive discussions, voicing optimism for the joint efforts to continue throughout his two-day official visit in Indonesia.
