President Prabowo Subianto met with French President Emmanuel Macron today at the Elysee Palace in Paris. The high-level meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties, covering key areas such as defense, clean energy, and ongoing trade negotiations between Indonesia and the European Union.
Ahead of their formal discussions, both leaders held a joint press statement emphasizing the urgent need for peace in the Middle East. President Prabowo underscored Indonesia’s firm stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a two-state solution to ensure lasting stability.
“Indonesia believes that there can be no true peace without a two-state solution and justice for Palestine,” Prabowo stated during the address, which was broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Thursday (May 28).
Prabowo also commended France for its proactive role in encouraging European and Western nations to support Palestinian independence. He reaffirmed that securing peace in the Middle East remains a shared global priority.
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Reflecting on the current state of international relations, the President noted that the bond between Indonesia and France has reached an all-time high. He highlighted the significant progress made in collaborative efforts spanning defense, science, and technology.
Beyond defense and clean energy, the agenda for the visit includes critical talks on education, research, and the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Both leaders are also committed to bolstering economic cooperation to drive foreign investment.
To accelerate this economic partnership, the two nations plan to establish the France-Indonesia Business High Level Council. “This is a vital initiative, and we are pleased with the active participation of French companies in Indonesia’s economy,” Prabowo added.
This marks President Prabowo’s fifth visit to France since assuming office on October 20, 2024. As the former Minister of Defense (2019-2024), Prabowo has consistently prioritized strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations throughout his tenure.
Summary
President Prabowo Subianto met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace to strengthen bilateral relations in defense, clean energy, and trade. During their discussions, the leaders addressed the ongoing Middle East crisis, with President Prabowo advocating for a two-state solution to ensure lasting peace and justice for Palestine. He also praised France’s proactive efforts in supporting Palestinian independence on the global stage.
The visit highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Indonesia and France, marked by progress in science, technology, and economic cooperation. To further these ties, the two nations plan to establish the France-Indonesia Business High Level Council to boost investment and trade. This meeting underscores President Prabowo’s continued commitment to deepening collaborative efforts since taking office.
