Steinmeier Replies in Indonesian as Prabowo Speaks German

President Prabowo Subianto received a state visit from President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. The meeting was marked by an exchange of Indonesian and German languages. The meeting took place on Monday (15/6/2026). Prabowo welcomed Steinmeier’s arrival in the courtyard of Merdeka Palace at around 11.30 WIB. During the meeting, Prabowo greeted Steinmeier in German. Prabowo considered Steinmeier’s visit to Indonesia to be very important. “Guten tag, herzlich willkommen,” said Prabowo alongside Steinmeier. In addition to greeting Steinmeier, Prabowo greeted the delegates accompanying the German head of state. Prabowo regarded Steinmeier’s visit as an honour. “First of all, I would like to extend a warm welcome and thank President Steinmeier for his return visit to Indonesia. This is a great honour for us,” said Prabowo. “This state visit holds very significant meaning for Indonesia because it also demonstrates the excellent relations between Germany and Indonesia,” he continued. Furthermore, Prabowo considered Steinmeier’s visit important amidst the current global geopolitical conditions. Prabowo pledged to strengthen cooperation with Germany during this meeting. “This visit is also an important momentum amidst increasingly uncertain global dynamics. Strengthening and sustaining the Indonesia-Germany partnership is certainly a priority,” he added. The meeting discussed partnership. Steinmeier’s visit also kicks off the commemoration of 75 years of Indonesia-Germany bilateral relations in 2027. Topics ranging from investment to energy security were discussed by Prabowo and Steinmeier at the Palace. “In today’s meeting, we discussed strengthening the Indonesia-Germany partnership, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, energy transition, energy security, education, and employment,” said Prabowo. Together with Steinmeier, Prabowo stated they agreed to continue increasing mutually beneficial trade and investment volumes. Prabowo emphasised trade cooperation with the European Union, where Germany plays an important role. “I stressed the importance of Indonesia-Europe relations and we hope the Indonesia-European Union CEPA agreement can reach a substantive conclusion. We hope Germany will continue to play an active role in the finalisation process of the internal agreement in Europe so that it can soon provide concrete benefits to the business communities in both countries,” he added. Steinmeier expressed his thanks. Steinmeier thanked Prabowo. Steinmeier conveyed his thanks using Indonesian. “President Prabowo Subianto, terima kasih banyak,” said Steinmeier. Steinmeier said Indonesia is an important partner for Germany. He admitted this was his fourth visit to Indonesia. Previous visits were made when he was still Germany’s Foreign Minister. “This is the fourth time I have visited here. The number of visits shows how important relations with Indonesia are for us in Germany,” he said. The meeting with Prabowo, according to Steinmeier, was held in a very difficult global situation. He cited several wars in various countries. “In Europe there is a war, likewise in the Middle East, in Central Asia. And conflicts that continue, including in Sudan and Germany, remain unresolved,” he said. Steinmeier revealed the reason for meeting Prabowo. Steinmeier expressed the importance of meeting Prabowo amidst the difficult global situation. Steinmeier touched on several regional conflicts. “This visit shows how important relations with Indonesia are for us in Germany, and of course our meeting is being held in a very difficult global situation,” said Steinmeier. According to Steinmeier, the relationship between Indonesia and Germany is very meaningful. This is because, he said, violence still persists in parts of the world. “In a situation where the world is shaken by increasing violence in many regions of the world, a partnership like the one between Germany and Indonesia is very meaningful,” said Steinmeier alongside Prabowo. “This is a partnership between two countries that are mutually committed to a foundation of fixed rules, and that is the bond between the two countries,” he added.