French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, along with the French presidential delegation, arrived at Jakarta’s Merdeka Palace, where they were received with a formal state welcome. However, the most memorable moment took place during the state banquet, when President Prabowo Subianto invited guests to raise a toast.

“On behalf of the Indonesian people and government, and on a personal note, I invite everyone to raise our glasses—to the health of His Excellency, the President of the French Republic, and the First Lady, and to the prosperity of both our nations.” President Prabowo then raised his glass and declared, “Vive la France! Vive l’Indonésie!”

The President's remarks went beyond ceremonial protocol, reflecting a genuine spirit of friendship and mutual respect—something President Macron would later emphasize in his own speech.

In his address, Macron referenced several world-renowned French artists and thinkers—poet Arthur Rimbaud, composer Claude Debussy, and photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson—noting that their works had drawn inspiration from Indonesia’s natural beauty and cultural richness, long before the nation gained independence.

“The connection I feel tonight is no coincidence. Although 12,000 km separate our capitals, we are united by the winds of history and a shared destiny,” Macron told the audience.

This marked Emmanuel Macron’s first visit to Indonesia as head of state and the first EU leader to visit since Prabowo Subianto assumed office in October 2024. The French delegation stayed in Indonesia from May 28 to 30, as part of a regional tour that also included Vietnam and Singapore.

Visit to Military Academy in Magelang

The next day, the two leaders visited the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, where they observed a French language class aimed at enhancing defense-sector human capital.

President Macron praised the cadets for their eagerness to learn French: “Thank you very much. Excellent work, and thank you for learning French. I appreciate this commitment.”

The visit was filled with warmth and laughter as cadets exchanged cheerful “Bonjour” greetings with beaming smiles. One cadet, Yoga Kertiyasa, proudly described his weekend activities in French, expressing his excitement about speaking directly with both presidents.

After the inspection, President Prabowo drove President Macron in a Pindad “Maung” tactical vehicle, made in Indonesia, for a tour around the academy grounds. Thousands of schoolchildren waved Indonesian and French flags, symbolizing the strong bond between the two nations.

During this visit, President Prabowo was also awarded France’s highest civilian honor, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, personally presented by President Macron.

Spiritual Pilgrimage: Philosophy of Borobudur

The highlight of Macron’s visit was a spiritual pilgrimage to Borobudur Temple in Magelang on Thursday, May 29. This 8th-century monument, built by the Syailendra Dynasty, represents a cosmic mandala and the soul’s journey toward enlightenment.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur is not just an architectural marvel but a symbol of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, embodying the nation’s values of peace, harmony, and diversity.

Standing in the temple courtyard, President Prabowo said: “It is an honor for me, as President of the Republic of Indonesia, to accompany my friend, the President of the French Republic.”

He also emphasized Pancasila—Indonesia’s foundational philosophy—which promotes religious tolerance and is reflected in the temple’s narrative reliefs.

President Macron echoed the sentiment, stating that the connection between France and Indonesia is not only through artists but also through students, researchers, engineers, and other professionals working across the archipelago.

He closed with a Bahasa Indonesia proverb: “Sedikit-sedikit, lama-lama menjadi bukit,” (Little by little, over time, it becomes a hill), similar to “slow and steady wins the race” in English.

Macron explained that the deepening of ties between the two countries reflects this steady, meaningful progress.

Joint Vision 2050: Roadmap for Strategic Partnership

On the evening of Wednesday, May 28, at Merdeka Palace, the two presidents formally signed the Joint Vision 2050. This long-term strategic document charts the path for collaboration across key sectors through 2050, aligning with the centenary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and France.

In addition to the vision document, 21 bilateral agreements were signed across public and private sectors, covering areas such as:

• Energy & Transition: TotalEnergies investment in solar power and battery storage
• Defense & Armaments: Technology transfer and military modernization
• Food & Nutrition Security: Free meal programs with support from Danone and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN)
• Creative Economy & Culture: Culinary and textile promotions
• Transport & Maritime Affairs: Joint efforts for the UN Ocean Conference in Nice
• Tourism Human Capital: Workforce development and international certification

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto reported that the total value of 27 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Indonesian and French institutions reached US$11 billion, or approximately Rp179.25 trillion. These MoUs spanned Government-to-Government (G-to-G), Business-to-Business (B-to-B), and People-to-People (P-to-P) collaborations, many of which were finalized during the Indonesia–France Business Forum.

In their joint remarks, President Prabowo emphasized: “France is a key partner for Indonesia in modernizing our defense systems and a friend in building a sustainable future.” Meanwhile, President Macron described the relationship as: “A partnership built on culture, science, and innovation—one that will continue to flourish.”

This state visit reflected more than formal diplomacy—it embodied the "breath of history" and the "wind of shared destiny" guiding Indonesia and France toward a future rooted in cultural heritage and forward-looking cooperation.

Writer: Kristantyo Wisnubroto

Editor: Untung S/Wilda Stiana

Translator: Wisnu Wardoyo