President Prabowo Returns from France State Visit, Strengthens Bilateral Relations
JAKARTA – President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, returned home on Saturday (30/5/2026) after completing a four-day state visit to the French Republic starting 26 May 2026. According to official broadcasts from the Presidential Secretariat, the presidential aircraft Garuda Indonesia-1 carrying President Prabowo and a limited delegation landed at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta around 10:07 WIB. The head of state was greeted by Vice President of Indonesia Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Tandyo Budi Revita, National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Glenny H. Kairupan, CEO. Following the reception, President Prabowo briefly spoke with attending officials before departing Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in a Maung tactical vehicle. President Prabowo’s state visit to France yielded significant outcomes in strengthening bilateral ties. During his stay in Paris, he undertook strategic engagements across defence, economy, investment, education, clean energy, science and technology, and global geopolitical issues. A key agenda was a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, where both leaders discussed enhancing cooperation and new mutually beneficial partnership opportunities. President Prabowo stated that Indonesia-France relations are currently at their best point in the history of diplomatic ties between the two nations. ‘We will see more concrete, balanced, and impactful cooperation in the coming period,’ he said. In addition to the bilateral meeting, President Prabowo attended an official state welcome ceremony at Les Invalides, symbolising France’s respect for Indonesia. During the visit, President Prabowo and Macron attended the launch of the France-Indonesia High-Level Business Council, which resulted in four new commercial agreements worth US$3.5 billion, focusing on energy resilience, trade, investment, and defence cooperation. The government views these achievements as strategic steps to expand investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties between the two nations amid global economic dynamics. Amidst the official schedule, President Prabowo attended Eid al-Adha prayers with Indonesian citizens and the diaspora in Paris at the Indonesian House. The event served as a national bonding opportunity between the President and Indonesian expatriates in France, demonstrating the government’s concern for overseas citizens. President Prabowo’s official visit to France is part of Indonesia’s active diplomacy to expand global partnerships, strengthen its strategic position in Europe, and open wider cooperation opportunities for public welfare. Before returning to Jakarta, President Prabowo was formally dispatched with military honours at Paris Orly Airport by senior French government officials. During the return flight to Indonesia, President Prabowo was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sugiono and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. The state visit marked a closer Indonesia-France relationship and laid the foundation for more concrete and impactful future cooperation between the two nations.