President Prabowo Welcomed by Macron at Élysée Palace

President Prabowo Subianto arrived at the Élysée Palace in France on Thursday, 28 May, at approximately 15:40 local time (20:40 WIB). The head of state was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron during a solemn state ceremony.

According to live coverage from the Presidential Secretariat, President Prabowo arrived in a white sedan under tight honour guard escort.

Dressed in a grey suit with a peci (traditional cap) and sunglasses, President Prabowo paid respects as Indonesia’s national anthem, ‘Indonesia Raya’, was played, followed by France’s ‘La Marseillaise’.

Following the welcoming ceremony, President Prabowo introduced members of the Red and White Cabinet accompanying the working visit, including Foreign Minister Sugiono, Investment and Downstream Development Minister and Danantara CEO Rosan Roeslani, and Higher Education, Science, and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto. Also in the delegation were the President’s son, Ragowo Hediprasetyo (Didit Hediprasetyo), and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

During the ceremony, President Prabowo participated in a military parade aboard an ACMAT command vehicle, a tactical vehicle typically used for state guests at the Élysée Palace, symbolising the diplomatic closeness between Jakarta and Paris.

The state visit, which fulfilled a prior invitation from Macron that had been delayed, aims to strengthen bilateral ties across strategic sectors, building on discussions initiated during the leaders’ previous meeting in Paris last month.

President Prabowo Subianto announced plans to expand French language education in Indonesian schools during his meeting with Macron at the Élysée Palace.

The two leaders discussed strategic partnerships including defence, renewable energy, and creative economy during the state visit to France.