Prabowo Speeds Up Cooperation with France, Focuses on Defense to Energy

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron discussed a number of strategic issues including strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the defense sector to creative economy.

President Prabowo in an official social media post said he had met President Macron at the Elysee Palace, Paris on Tuesday (14/4) to discuss strengthening strategic cooperation in various priority sectors that would benefit both Indonesia and France.

"Including the procurement of military equipment and the strengthening of the defense industry, energy transition and the development of renewable energy, infrastructure and transportation to education and creative economy," said Prabowo, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, April 15.

The Indonesian government, he said, considers France as one of the strategic partners in the European region in the development of broader and sustainable bilateral cooperation.

"As one of the important partners in the European region, Indonesia continues to encourage sustainable cooperation with France to open new opportunities for collaboration that are increasingly concrete and mutually beneficial for both countries," said Prabowo.

At the Elysee Palace itself, President Prabowo's arrival was greeted by a French guard of honor, which paid tribute accompanied by the accompaniment of instruments from the music unit. President Macron, who had been waiting on the terrace of the Elysee Palace, then walked up to his guest in the courtyard.

Prabowo arrived in Paris on Monday (13/4) at 23.50 local time after previously completing an important diplomatic agenda in Moscow, Russia.

Prabowo's arrival in the French capital was a continuation of Indonesia's series of strategic diplomacy in Europe, after previously carrying out an intensive bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace.