Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Joint Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia and President of the French Republic at the Élysée Palace, Paris, France, May 28, 2026

Your Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic,

Distinguished French and Indonesian Ministers and High-Ranking Officials,

Distinguished journalists,

May peace be upon us all.

Bonjour,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. 

First of all, I would like to express my sincerest thanks and sincerest appreciation for the warm and honorable reception extended to me and my delegation.

As you may know, I have visited France three times this year, and last year Indonesia received the great honor of being invited to participate in the military parade on July 14, the national day of the French Republic. It was truly a great honor. We were probably the first Asian country to participate in a military parade on the European continent.

I share His Excellency’s view that relations between Indonesia and France are currently at their strongest.

We greatly appreciate and hold in the highest regard the leadership of His Excellency President Macron. The leadership he has demonstrated on the international stage reflects the French Republic’s consistent courage in taking positive and resolute actions that are firmly aligned with the principles upheld by the French Republic.

In several cases, Indonesia and France share the same position, and our bilateral relationship is currently in a very good state. This is due in large part to the direct support of President Macron.

We enjoy excellent relations in the defense sector, as well as in science and technology. We wish to further deepen our cooperation in the field of education. To that end, I have instructed that French be taught at all levels of schooling across Indonesia, in light of future global developments.

We are certain that in a global situation marked by uncertainty, tension, and conflict, our countries can play a positive role. Indonesia will continue to promote efforts to uphold peace. In today’s world, where the Earth has become increasingly small because of advances in science and technology, wars and conflicts can bring no good to anyone. For that reason, we are pleased that we now have a comprehensive strategic partnership, and we are confident that, in the near future, our cooperation will become more concrete, more balanced, and more impactful.

Today, I expect that we will discuss several important issues: cooperation in the fields of defense, clean energy, education, and research, as well as the implementation of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. We greatly appreciate President Macron’s support in accelerating this process.

We seek to further strengthen this cooperation and increase investment between our two countries. I am very pleased and warmly welcome the establishment of the France-Indonesia High-Level Business Council. I believe this forum is very important, and we will be delighted to see more French companies participating in Indonesia’s economy. France, as a leader of Europe, will continue to play a vital part in the Southeast Asian region.

I concur with President Macron’s view that stability in the Middle East is essential and has a direct impact on global energy and global supply chains. For this reason, peace in the Middle East region is a concern that we both share.

I am also encouraged that France is among the pioneers lobbying many countries across Europe and the broader West to support a two-state solution and the independence of Palestine. Indonesia firmly maintains that there can be no lasting peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution and without justice for the Palestinian people.

Your Excellency, thank you once again for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation. I am confident that our discussion today will be fruitful.

Indonesia sees France and Europe as important global powers, and we hope to see both play even stronger roles so that we can work together in a truly multipolar world. We believe that multipolarity will help create balance and support peace across the globe.

Your Excellency, once again, I am truly delighted to be here today. When I was young, every time I visited Paris, I always made a point of going to the Invalides. To be welcomed here today with such a great honor is deeply meaningful to me.

Thank you once again. May Indonesia and France continue to move forward with clear direction and a strong shared commitment.

Thank you.

Merci beaucoup, Madame et Monsieur.

(DH/EP)