Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their intention to develop mutual co-operation within the framework of a global partnership across various fields, according to ANTARA News.
In a joint statement issued during Indonesian President Subianto’s state visit to the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday, Macron welcomed the friendly relations with Jakarta and described Indonesia as an important strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Indonesia is an important strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific and I believe this is also part of Mr Prabowo’s conviction,” Macron said.
In the defence and security sectors, Macron highlighted the close co-operation between the two countries, which was marked by the arrival of the first Rafale fighter jet in Indonesia, as “the first Rafale fighter jet just arrived in Indonesia” the day before yesterday, according to Macron. He noted that this gesture “is proof of this relationship, and today’s discussion is also proof of the desire to continue moving forward on this path.”
Macron also emphasised the importance of strengthening economic, trade and investment ties between Indonesia, France and the EU. He hopes a wide-ranging economic partnership deals between Indonesia and Brussels would be implemented without delay to accelerate trade and investment in strategic sectors, namely transport, healthcare, the energy transition and defence.
The leaders pledged to deepen co-operation in cultural and educational matters, having earlier cemented this through a joint declaration on cultural strategy at Borobudur Temple in May 2025. Collaboration covered museums, literature, cinema and fashion, as well as the strengthening of scientific, technical and university partnerships within the framework of the France-Indonesia Year of Innovation 2026. Macron said:
“France wants to welcome more students, researchers and talented individuals.”
The two leaders exchanged views on the crisis in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and tensions in the South China Sea and South-East Asia. The French president also praised Indonesia’s active role in promoting peace and international dialogue. On the subject of Southeast Asia, he stressed that ASEAN occupies a pivotal place in French and European strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.
