More than 70 years have passed since Indonesia and France established diplomatic relations in 1947. Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron received a warm state welcome in Jakarta as a gesture of friendship and mutual respect. The event was marked by the presence of approximately 3,000 elementary to high school students, elegantly dressed and waving the flags of both Indonesia and France. President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived at Merdeka Palace with a grand motorcade from Monas, accompanied by tight security, enhancing the ceremonial ambiance of the occasion.
Upon their arrival at Merdeka Palace, President Macron exchanged greetings with the students before being welcomed officially by President Prabowo Subianto. The two leaders proceeded together to the ceremonial grounds, where the national anthems of both countries were played and a 21-gun salute was given as a formal tribute. In a show of mutual respect, President Prabowo and President Macron inspected the honor guard under the clear blue sky of Jakarta, with Macron acknowledging the young students waving flags in the palace courtyard.
The ceremony was attended by ministers from the Red and White Cabinet, as well as Prabowo’s son, Ragowo Hediprasetyo. Macron’s visit to Indonesia also included a visit to the Military Academy in Magelang and the UNESCO World Heritage site, Borobudur Temple, highlighting the shared cultural and educational values that bind the two nations together. Following the official welcome, the two heads of state engaged in a closed-door bilateral meeting to discuss various strategic partnerships, marking a significant milestone in the deepening of ties between Indonesia and France.
