President Prabowo Returns Home after Overseas Visit

President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday (07/16) returns to Indonesia after concluding working visits to several countries across the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat.

President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday (07/16) returned to Indonesia after concluding working visits to several countries across the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe.

The President was greeted at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Chief of the Indonesian National Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

President Prabowo began his overseas trip in Saudi Arabia, where he held a meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

“The results were good. They stated that the meeting was very successful. We made significant progress in several areas, and they will boost their investment in Indonesia,” President Prabowo said.

According to the President, he has conveyed the idea of building a permanent Hajj village for Indonesian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

The President also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with friendly countries in the Middle East.

“In several areas, we have very good cooperation—with Saudi Arabia, and also with our partners in the Middle East: Egypt, UAE, Qatar, and Jordan,” the President stated.

From the Middle East, the President traveled to Brazil to attend the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. He also made a state visit to Brasilia, where he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

“We were officially welcomed as a new member. I also made an official visit to Brazil, and was warmly welcomed by President Lula,” the President said.

The President also highlighted potential in cooperation between Brazil and Indonesia.

“Brazil and Indonesia are very large countries, each with vast tropical forests — the lungs of the Earth. We also both have abundant natural resources. President Lula and I believe that we can increase our trade volume.

President Prabowo then visited Brussels, Belgium, attending meetings with the European Union and with King Philippe of Belgium. The President also announced a major breakthrough after more than a decade of negotiations.

“After 10 years of negotiation, we finally reached an agreement — Indonesia and the EU will enter into what’s called the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), which is equivalent to a Free Trade Agreement. Our goods can enter the EU with zero percent tariffs, and theirs can too. This is really a mutual cooperation. They have advanced technology, science, and financial resources. We have minerals, commodities, and the market,” the President stated.

From Brussels, the President flew to France to attend France’s National Day (Bastille Day) as a guest of honor. On this occasion, the Indonesia’s Patriot II Task Force contingent opened the military parade on the Champs Élysées. The President also held a private dinner and meeting with President Emmanuel Macron.

“This is the first time in history that an Asian country led the parade in France — a great honor. I also had a long and good discussion with President Macron, covering many important issues,” the President remarked.

President Prabowo concluded his trip with a brief visit to Minsk, Belarus, where he had a meeting with President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

(BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RI/MUR)