TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for a dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on Monday, July 14, 2025. The invitation followed Prabowo’s attendance as an honored guest at France’s National Day, or Bastille Day, earlier that same day.
According to an official statement from the Presidential Secretariat, Prabowo was received by the Head of the French State Protocol upon his arrival at the Élysée Palace.
The Indonesian President walked past a formation of honor guards before being greeted personally by Macron at the end of the line. The two leaders shook hands and posed for photos before heading into the palace dining room.
Inside, Prabowo was served a selection of traditional French dishes. The two leaders took the opportunity to exchange views on strategic issues concerning both nations and international affairs. However, details of their conversation were not disclosed.
Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media at the Presidential Secretariat, explained that the dinner was not merely a formal gesture. It symbolized diplomatic engagement and the growing commitment between France and Indonesia.
“This is a commitment to continue moving forward together amid global dynamics,” said Yusuf in a statement released on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Earlier that day, Prabowo had joined Macron on the main stage at the Champs-Élysées during the Bastille Day celebrations. Both leaders watched the military parade, which featured a special performance by the Indonesian Contingent.
The Indonesian troops, numbering 500 personnel, marched while performing the patriotic song “Maju Tak Gentar” by Cornel Simanjuntak. Their participation in the event left a strong impression on Macron, who recalled his recent visit to the Magelang Military Academy in Indonesia last May.
“The steps of the Indonesian military reminded President Macron of his meeting with the Indonesian forces in Magelang,” the statement noted.
Macron later expressed his appreciation on Instagram, posting a photo of the parade alongside a message to Prabowo.
“Je garde un souvenir fort de ma visite, en mai dernier, notamment à l’Académie militaire Akmil de Magelang, au cœur de Java, et de notre rencontre avec les soldats de l’armée nationale indonésienne qui apprennent le français. (I still have strong memories of my visit last May, especially of my time at the Akmil Military Academy in Magelang, in the heart of Java, and our encounter with Indonesian National Armed Forces soldiers who were learning French),” he wrote on his official account @emmanuelmacron on Monday, July 14, 2025.
Editor’s Choice: Macron Announces Increase in France’s Military Spending, Citing “Threats” to Europe
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News