Joint Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia and President of the French Republic at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 28, 2025

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Prabowo Subianto)

Your Excellency President of the French Republic, Your Excellency Emmanuel Macron,

All French delegates,

Coordinating Ministers and Ministers of the Red-and-White Cabinet,

Business representatives and the people in attendance,

Distinguished journalists,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Salve,

Om swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue,

Rahayu rahayu.

It is a great honor that today, I, as the President of the Republic of Indonesia, have the opportunity to welcome the President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, my good friend, in Jakarta, along with the entourage from France.

President Macron is the first head of state from the European Union to pay an official visit to Indonesia after I took office as the President of the Republic of Indonesia. This visit proves the closeness and strong ties between our two countries. Once again, thank you for the honor of visiting us.

The state visit also has a special meaning as it coincides with the 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and France. The two countries have also established a more specific relation, namely a strategic partnership, which began in 2011. Today, we agreed to take a further step by adopting the Joint Vision Declaration toward 100 years of Indonesia-France relations in 2050. It also demonstrates our commitment to reaffirming our commitment in strategic sectors. As countries with strong cultural traditions, we also launched a Strategic Declaration in the Indonesia-France cultural sector, as a guideline for cooperation in the cultural and creative economy sectors, contributing to economic and social development.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

During our tete-a-tete, President Macron and I intensively discussed international, geopolitical, and geoeconomic situations. We observe the relations between Indonesia and France that are full of friendship, mutual respect, and mutual support.

We certainly have had Indonesia-France Defense Cooperation Agreement. France is one of our main partners in modernizing our primary weapon system, including defense industry development through joint production and technology transfer. We recorded positive outcomes of the 11^th Indonesia-France Defense Dialogue last month in Jakarta and Indonesia’s participation in La Pérouse Naval Training, as a form of joint commitment to maintain regional stability.

I also invited President Macron to inspect our education and training at the Military Academy in Magelang regency. In addition, we will continue defense cooperation, which includes improving the capacity of our human resources.

In the economic sector, we have agreed to promote more balanced trade and investment relations. We also asked France to support us in accelerating the finalization of the Indonesia-European Union CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement). We are thankful that President Macron pledged to support our membership in not only the CEPA but also the OECD.

We have developed stronger ties in various sectors, including energy transition, food security, and Free Nutritious Meals. In the maritime sector, Indonesia’s special envoys will attend the 3^rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, next month.

In other sectors, in the cultural and creative economic sector, we also strengthened our relations. In the intercity transportation and the transportation sector, we also thank France’s participation.

In the education sector, we promote collaboration in multiple educational sectors. We have also asked France to increase the number of our university students studying science, engineering, and medicine.

We also discussed global situations, and we have agreed to continue coordinating in upholding respect for international laws.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One of the very important subjects during my discussion with President Macron was what President Macron stated about France’s will to promote a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue. France will continue to support steps toward the independence of Palestine as a liberated country. Furthermore, France will continue to press for an immediate end to armed conflict in Gaza and demand full humanitarian access.

We also support the plan of France and Saudi Arabia to convene a Summit next June to promote the two-state solution and bring peace to the Middle East. I have affirmed Indonesia’s stance on different occasions, in various fora, that Indonesia views the two-state solution and independence for the people of Palestine as the only way to achieve true peace. Nevertheless, let me underscore that we must also acknowledge and guarantee the right of Israel to stand as a sovereign country and a country whose security must also be observed and guaranteed. For that reason, Indonesia has conveyed that once Israel recognizes the State of Palestine, we are prepared to recognize Israel and establish diplomatic relations. We also stand ready to contribute peacekeeping forces to the region.

I suppose we have already said the important matters. I should mention that the relations between France and Indonesia are in a very good state.

Moreover, I also received an invitation directly from him. I was invited as a guest of honor on their big day, July 14, which they refer to as Bastille Day. It is the day of the French Revolution, which marked the establishment of the modern French Republic. I thank you for the invitation. He also invited a contingent of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) to take part in the military parade there. Thus, Minister of Defense, do your best.

I thank you, President Macron. When I was in Paris during the parade, I watched it from the roadside. Thank you, because now I can get on the podium with you.

Thank you, President Macron, for visiting us with your entourage. I actually had the intention to invite you to my place in Hambalang, but there would not be enough time. This is another reason to invite you again here.

Thank you, Your Excellency.

I thank you.

(DH/MMB)