Prabowo Respected By World Leaders, Gerindra: The New Soekarno

Indonesian Defense Minister and elected president Prabowo Subianto met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, July 31. 2024 (doc Gerindra)

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the Gerindra Party Ahmad Muzani responded to Prabowo Subianto's visit to a number of European countries some time ago. According to Muzani, observing the respect of the country's leaders for Prabowo shows that the elected president is like The New Soekarno.

"," said Muzani when giving a speech at the National Working Meeting of the Great Indonesia Christian Movement (Gekira), the Gerindra Party wing organization at the Bidakara Hotel, Jakarta, last Saturday.

The respect for world leaders, said Muzani, is a big hope that the governments of Prabowo and Gibran Rakabuming Raka in the future will be able to realize a just and prosperous Indonesia.

"Pak Prabowo has not yet been appointed as president-elect so respected by world leaders. Later we saw Russian President Putin sitting side by side giving his thumbs up to Pak Prabowo during his visit. Turkish President Erdogan paid tribute to Pak Prabowo. Mr. Prabowo also received extraordinary respect during his visit to France, "said Muzani.

It is known that the Minister of Defense and the elected president of 2024-2029, Prabowo Subianto, made a working visit to a number of countries in Europe from July 24-31, 2024.

In the series of trips, Prabowo met with leaders in four countries, namely French President Emmanuel Macron, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdobulan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Prabowo's arrival to the friendly countries was always picked up directly, even being escorted back to his vehicle by the leaders of the country he visited.

On his first visit to Elysee Palace, Wednesday (7/24/24), Prabowo was greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron who had been waiting for him to get out of the car to give greetings and warm hugs.

After that, Prabowo and Macron discussed global security issues and plans to increase cooperation in the defense sector, such as the modernization of defense equipment, education and training, and dialogue forums.

Not only meeting Macron, Prabowo's visit to France was also in order to carry out the duties of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to attend the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Saturday (27/7/2024). Prabowo had the opportunity to meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino and discuss the efforts of the Indonesian government in increasing football in the country.

On the same day, Prabowo also met with the President of the International Olympics Committee, Thomas Bach in France. Their meeting discussed the potential for Indonesia to host the 2036 Olympics.

After leaving France, Prabowo flew to Serbia, on Monday (29/7/2024), and met President Aleksandar Vucic. His second meeting was to strengthen political dialogue, develop and encourage economic cooperation in all areas that could benefit the two countries.

On that occasion, Vucic was very enthusiastic about meeting Prabowo. In the upload of five photos when meeting Prabowo via his personal Instagram account @buducnostsrbijeav, it appears that the atmosphere is relaxed and full of familiarity between the two. Vucic also expressed his desire to work together more with Indonesia-Serbia.

"Together with the elected president of the Republic of Indonesia and the Minister of Defense @prabowo, I discuss ways to further develop our traditional friendly relationship and strengthen overall cooperation between Indonesia and Serbia. This visit provides significant incentives to further improve our country's close relations," said Vucic.

Still on the same day, Prabowo flew to Turkey to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoyan. Prabowo was honored because he was greeted directly by Erdoyan. On that occasion, Prabowo congratulated Erdobulan for his election as president.

Erdobulan pun sangat berharap Prabowo dapat kembali ke Turki setelahi resmi dijantik sebagai presiden pada 20 Oktober 2024 mendatang.

"It is a great honor for me to be accepted by His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdobulyan, the President of the Republic of Turkiye, to discuss our comprehensive bilateral relations," Prabowo said.

Prabowo's meeting with Erdoyan discussed the commitments of the two countries in the defense sector, including increasing the capacity of the armed forces to the defense industry of the two countries.

"With so many opportunities available, Indonesia is committed to further strengthening strategic partnerships with Turkey," said Prabowo.

Apart from meeting Erdoyan, Prabowo also met with Turkish Defense Minister Yamihar Göler. The two discussed bilateral relations in the defense sector. In addition, he also met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, to discuss the geopolitical situation.

Prabowo's visit to Turkey was followed by visiting the Ozdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, Istanbul. This place is known as the center of innovation and development of leading defense technology in Turkey.

Russia made Prabowo's final landing on a series of working visits to Europe, meeting with Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace, Moscow on Wednesday (31/7/2024).

At the meeting, Prabowo and Putin discussed strengthening Indonesia-Russia cooperation in various fields which included education, tourism, food and defense security.

"My main emphasis is on food security; energy security and education," said Prabowo.

In addition, Prabowo and Putin also discussed cooperation on nuclear energy. Prabowo said he was currently investigating and discussing potential cooperation with the Russian side.

As for the tourism sector, Prabowo also expressed support for a number of steps that Russia will take. One of them is the plan to open the Russian Consulate General in Bali. Prabowo also invited Russia to attend the defense exhibition which will be held in November 2024 in Indonesia.