More than 70 years have passed since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and France in 1947. Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron was warmly welcomed in Jakarta in a true spirit of friendship and mutual respect. The prestigious event took place at Merdeka Palace, where approximately 3,000 students of various age levels dressed smartly and proudly waved the flags of both Indonesia and France. The motorcade carrying President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron was gracefully escorted from Monas to the palace grounds amidst tight security measures, creating a ceremonial ambiance.
President Macron greeted the students with warmth upon his arrival at Merdeka Palace, where he was officially welcomed by President Prabowo Subianto. The two leaders walked side by side to the ceremonial grounds as the national anthems of both countries reverberated through the air, accompanied by a 21-gun salute as a formal tribute. In a heartening moment, Prabowo and Macron inspected the honor guard under the clear blue sky of Jakarta, with Macron appreciating the students’ enthusiasm as they waved miniature flags in the palace courtyard.
Notable attendees at the ceremony included ministers from the Red and White Cabinet, as well as Prabowo’s son, Ragowo Hediprasetyo. Macron’s itinerary in Indonesia also featured a visit to the Military Academy in Magelang and a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Borobudur Temple, highlighting the shared cultural and educational values between the two nations. Subsequent to the grand welcome ceremony, the two leaders engaged in a closed-door bilateral meeting to explore and strengthen various strategic partnerships, signifying a further deepening of the longstanding ties between Indonesia and France.
