Macron: Rafale Jet Arrival Highlights Strong France-Indonesia Ties

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto paid a state visit to the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday, May 28, 2026, where French President Emmanuel Macron described Indonesia as an important strategic partner for France in the Indo-Pacific region.

During a joint statement, Macron highlighted the growing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the defense sector, marked by the arrival of the first Rafale fighter jet in Indonesia.

“Yesterday, the first Rafale fighter jet arrived in Indonesia, which is evidence of this relationship and today’s discussions, and is also proof of the desire to continue progressing in this direction,” Macron said in a statement released by Indonesia’s Presidential Secretariat on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Macron also underlined the importance of strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Indonesia, France, and the European Union. He expressed hope that the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) could be finalized soon to accelerate trade and investment flows across strategic sectors.

“It is important for this to be implemented promptly to remove barriers to trade and investment, and to accelerate progress in transportation, health, energy transition, and defense,” Macron said.

The French president also welcomed Indonesia’s decision to open its market to French dairy and beef cattle products. In addition, he expressed support for investment plans by Danantara as part of efforts to deepen bilateral economic ties.

In culture and education, the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation that had previously been reinforced through a joint cultural strategy declaration at Borobudur Temple in May 2025. The cooperation includes museums, literature, film, fashion, and scientific and technological collaboration, as well as partnerships among universities under the 2026 France-Indonesia Year of Innovation.

“France hopes to welcome more students, researchers, and talents,” Macron said.

Macron and Prabowo also exchanged views on several international issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and tensions in the South China Sea and Southeast Asia.

Macron praised Indonesia’s role in promoting peace and international dialogue.

“I want to pay tribute to your very brave position for peace in the Middle East, and also for the recognition of Palestine. I also want to pay tribute to your military involvement in continuing to act for peace and the sovereignty of Lebanon,” Macron said.

The French leader further emphasized ASEAN’s strategic importance in France’s and the European Union’s Indo-Pacific policy, saying France was ready to continue working with Indonesia in addressing global and regional challenges.

“At every level of partnership between Indonesia and France, this is very relevant, and it will strengthen the visions of both our countries towards peace in the current world order,” Macron said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said Prabowo’s visit to France was made in response to Macron’s invitation, which had previously been postponed because the two leaders had been unable to find a suitable meeting schedule.

“This is an invitation from President Macron that had previously been delayed. If I’m not mistaken, the visit initially expected to take place in April could not proceed because a suitable time could not be found,” Sugiono said on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as quoted in a video statement.

The Gerindra Party secretary-general added that Macron later extended another invitation to Prabowo, proposing a new date that was eventually agreed upon.

“During their second meeting, President Macron once again invited him and proposed the date that has now been accepted,” Sugiono said.

Sugiono said Prabowo decided to proceed with the state visit after receiving the invitation twice, adding that the trip also served as a reciprocal visit following Macron’s earlier visit to Indonesia.

“Because the invitation had been extended twice, the President accepted it and attended the meeting in Paris,” he said.

Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article.

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