Why Has President Prabowo Made Three Visits to France?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto has made three visits to France in 2026.

The first visit was recorded on 23 January 2026, followed by a second on 14 April 2026, and the most recent on 27 May 2026.

What activities prompted these three trips to the Paris-based nation?

The first visit of the year, on Friday, 23 January 2026, saw Prabowo arrive in Paris, France, after concluding work in Davos, Switzerland.

According to the Presidential Secretariat’s press release, he was scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron during a private dinner at the Élysée Palace.

This meeting was a key moment to discuss strengthening bilateral Indonesia-France relations across strategic sectors.

The Paris visit underscores the strong commitment of President Prabowo’s administration to proactive diplomacy, building global trust, and expanding strategic partnerships with European allies.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya noted that Prabowo flew directly to Paris after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

“After a five-hour meeting with President Putin at the Kremlin, the President immediately departed for France, a journey of approximately 3.5 hours, arriving in Paris at midnight,” Teddy stated in the Presidential Secretariat’s release on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

Prabowo is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace today.

Teddy added that the meeting would not only focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation but also provide Indonesia with a crucial opportunity to present its strategic views on global dynamics.

“During the meeting, the President will not only strengthen cooperation with the French government but also outline Indonesia’s stance on maintaining stability and promoting global peace,” he said.