President Prabowo Apologizes To Meet European Commission On Sunday: This Is Unusual, But Important

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto greeted diaspora when he arrived at the hotel where he spent the night in Brussels, Saturday (12/7/2025). ANTARA/HO-Biro Press of the Presidential Secretariat.

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto apologized for visiting the European Commission today. According to him, Sunday visits are not a common habit in high-level meetings.

This was conveyed by Prabowo when giving a joint statement with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, July 13 local time.

"First of all, it's a great honor for me to be here, accepted by the European Commission. And I would like to once again apologize for visiting you on Sunday. I know this is very unusual," Prabowo said as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, Sunday, July 13.

However, Prabowo admitted that he really appreciated the warm acceptance given. He considered that this honor reflected the importance of strategic relations between Indonesia and the European Union in the midst of the growing global dynamics.

"This is a great honor that you have given me, as well as a sacrifice. But I think this also shows how important the relationship between Indonesia and the European Union is to us," he said.

During his visit, Prabowo said that Indonesia and the European Union had successfully completed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations after going through a negotiation process that took up to a decade.

The President assessed that the agreement would bring economic benefits reciprocally, as well as an important foundation for more inclusive and balanced trade relations.

We have reached a lot of agreements. In essence, we will accommodate each other's economic interests. And we see that this relationship is mutually beneficial," he said.

He emphasized his desire to see more of Europe's presence and participation in Indonesia's economic development. According to Prabowo, Europe is an important partner in various sectors, ranging from science, technology, to finance.

"Europe is a leader in science, technology and finance. While we have crucial resources," he said.

He also hopes that cooperation with Europe will continue to be improved, including in order to maintain global stability and build a fairer world.

On the other hand, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Indonesia and the European Union had succeeded in achieving important political agreements within the framework of CEPA.

"Mr President, I would like to thank you for your leadership, and together we send a strong signal regarding long-term and predictable cooperation between Indonesia and the European Union," said von der Leyen.

President Prabowo is in Brussels to fulfill an official invitation from the European Commission. During the visit, he was also scheduled to meet with European Council President Antulio Costa and Belgian King Philippe Léopold Louis Marie.