Prabowo Subianto conducted a state visit to the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on Thursday, 28 May 2026, where French President Emmanuel Macron described Indonesia as a key strategic partner for France in the Indo-Pacific region.
Macron highlighted deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries, pointing in particular to the recent delivery of the first Rafale fighter jet to Indonesia as evidence of strengthening defence ties.
“Yesterday, the first Rafale fighter jet arrived in Indonesia, which is proof of this relationship and today’s discussions are also proof of the desire to continue moving forward on this path,” Macron said in remarks released by the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat on Friday.
The French president also stressed the importance of expanding economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Indonesia, France, and the broader European Union. He called for the rapid implementation of the Indonesia–EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, saying it would help remove barriers to trade and investment and accelerate cooperation across sectors including transport, health, energy transition, and defence.
Macron said such an agreement would help unlock greater economic integration and deepen strategic collaboration between Europe and Southeast Asia.
He also welcomed Indonesia’s decision to open its market to French dairy and beef industries, and praised planned investments from Indonesia’s sovereign wealth initiatives as a sign of growing economic trust between the two countries.
On cultural and educational ties, Macron and Prabowo reaffirmed commitments to deepen cooperation built on earlier agreements signed at Borobudur Temple in May 2025. The partnership covers museums, literature, film, fashion, and expanded scientific and academic exchanges under the France–Indonesia Innovation Year 2026.
“France wants to welcome more students, researchers, and talent,” Macron said.
The two leaders also exchanged views on major global security issues, including the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and tensions in the South China Sea and wider Southeast Asian region. Macron praised Indonesia’s diplomatic stance and its engagement in international peace efforts.
“I want to pay tribute to your very courageous position for peace in the Middle East, and also for the recognition of Palestine. I also want to pay tribute to your troops’ commitment to peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon,” Macron said.
He added that ASEAN plays a central role in France and the European Union’s Indo-Pacific strategy, underscoring Paris’s commitment to working closely with Jakarta on global and regional challenges.
Macron said the Indonesia–France partnership would strengthen both countries’ shared vision for international peace and the global order.
Separately, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said Prabowo’s visit to Paris fulfilled an invitation from Macron that had previously been postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
Sugiono said the invitation had been renewed and new dates were agreed upon following further coordination between the two governments. He added that the state visit also served as a reciprocal trip following Macron’s earlier visit to Indonesia.
