President Prabowo Subianto Welcomes Belarus President Lukashenko with Full Honors at Merdeka Palace
President Prabowo Subianto Thursday (07/02) welcomed President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko for a state visit at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.
The visit marks a significant moment in strengthening friendly relations and strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Belarus.
President Lukashenko arrived at the Merdeka Palace at about 11.25 Western Indonesia Time.
A state welcoming ceremony was held, featuring an escort of 17 motorcycle troops and 120 mounted troops.
This escort accompanied President Lukashenko from the National Monument (Monas) area until he entered the main gate of the Merdeka Palace.
Upon his arrival at the Merdeka Palace, hundreds of elementary school students lined up, waving the flags of both countries. The students’ enthusiastic cheers added to the lively atmosphere as they welcomed President Lukashenko.
The Enggang Dance, performed by ten dancers and five musicians, also enlivened the ceremony. Originating from East Kalimantan province, the dance symbolizes the respect, grace, and hospitality of the Dayak people, serving as a warm welcome for the leader of a friendly nation.
Afterwards, President Prabowo Subianto personally welcomed his Belarusian counterpart on the west side of the Merdeka Palace. The two leaders shook hands and then proceeded together to the veranda of the Merdeka Palace.
The playing of the national anthem of the Republic of Belarus, followed by the Indonesian national anthem “Indonesia Raya”, marked the commencement of the state welcoming ceremony, which was then honored with a 21-gun salute as a symbol of state respect.
President Prabowo Subianto and President Lukashenko then inspected the guard of honor. Following the inspection, the two leaders introduced members of their respective delegation present at the welcoming ceremony.
The Indonesian delegation present at the ceremony included Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of Investment Coordinating Board Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus, Jose Tavares.
The welcoming ceremony continued with the signing of the state guest book and a photo session in the Credentials Room. President Lukashenko then proceeded to President Prabowo Subianto’s office for a tête-à-tête meeting, followed by a bilateral meeting to discuss various strategic issues and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Belarus.
President Prabowo Subianto in his statement expressed his appreciation for the state visit of President Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to Indonesia.
“Welcome back to Jakarta following Your Excellency’s last visit to Indonesia 13 years ago. It is once again an honor for Indonesia, and an honor for me, to host Your Excellency for a second state visit,” said the President, adding that he also appreciated the welcome he received during his visit to Minsk, Belarus, in last year’s July.
President Lukashenko’s state visit concluded with a joint press statement by the two leaders, followed by a state luncheon held at the State Palace in Jakarta. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat) (AW/EP)
