PRESIDENT Prabowo Subianto returned to Indonesia on Friday, May 29, 2026, after concluding his fourth state visit to France. Prabowo had arrived in Paris on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, landing at Orly Airport in the Republic of France around 09:50 local time. This particular trip by Prabowo coincided with the observation of Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijri.
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Foreign Minister Sugiono stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to France was to fulfill an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Sugiono, Prabowo was honoring Macron’s invitation, which had been previously postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
“This was an invitation from President Macron that had actually been delayed. If I’m not mistaken, a visit was expected in April, but the timing was unsuitable then,” Sugiono elaborated on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as cited from a video statement.
While in Paris, Prabowo engaged in discussions concerning Indonesia-France cooperation, a relationship he described as being in its best phase ever. Remarkably, Prabowo even announced that he had instructed all schools in Indonesia to teach French to their students. Here are the key facts from Prabowo’s visit to France:
Eid al-Adha Prayers in Paris
Prabowo performed Eid al-Adha 1447 Hijri prayers in Paris, France, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The religious observance took place at Wisma Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy in the French capital.
Prabowo prayed in the first row, flanked by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya and the Indonesian Ambassador to France, Mohamad Oemar. Investment Minister and CEO of BPI Danantara, Rosan Perkasa Roelani, was also seen praying in the same row. Prabowo’s son, Didit Hediprasetyo, was also present at the location.
After the prayers, Prabowo was seen shaking hands with members of the Indonesian diaspora who participated in the congregational Eid al-Adha service. The event then continued with a reception and a communal meal.
The Cabinet Secretariat indicated that the Head of State’s visit to France had been planned for a long time. “The invitation had been on the agenda since last year and had undergone several reschedules,” Teddy stated in a written declaration on Tuesday.
Prabowo Instructs Indonesian Schools to Teach French
During his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, Prabowo also issued an instruction for schools across Indonesia to implement French language learning.
The Head of State initially asserted that bilateral relations between Indonesia and France across various sectors were in excellent condition. He further expressed his desire to enhance cooperation in the field of education.
“I have now instructed that all levels of Indonesian schools must teach French, anticipating global developments,” Prabowo declared on Thursday afternoon, May 28, 2026, as broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel.
Acknowledging the Intensity of Visits to France
On the same occasion, Prabowo also acknowledged the frequency of his trips to France. Prabowo had previously visited France in January and April 2026. This means his visit in May marked his third trip within a mere five-month period.
Addressing President Macron, Prabowo began by expressing his appreciation for the warm and honorable reception extended to him and the Indonesian delegation. “As is known, this year alone, I have visited France three times,” Prabowo stated.
Prabowo Launches Business Council
During this visit, Prabowo, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, launched a new business council named the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council (FI-HLBC). The launch occurred when Prabowo attended the Indonesia-France CEO Forum in Paris on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
“Together with His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron, we officially launched the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council (FI-HLBC),” read Prabowo’s Instagram account @presidenrepublikindonesia on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Prabowo explained that this business council was established by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with MEDEF International. Moving forward, the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council is poised to serve as a vital platform for strengthening trade relations.
Signs Cooperation Agreements Worth USD 3.5 Billion
Investment and Downstreaming Minister, and CEO of Danantara, Rosan Roeslani, announced that the launch of the business council culminated in four new commercial agreements totaling US$3.5 billion, equivalent to Rp 62.38 trillion (at an exchange rate of Rp 17,824 per US dollar).
Rosan stated that the signed agreements are primarily focused on energy security, trade, and defense cooperation. “The agreements reached demonstrate that Indonesia is regarded as a strategic partner with long-term growth prospects and an increasingly competitive investment climate,” Rosan conveyed via a press statement from the Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Rosan further elaborated that the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council is a business forum that convenes 30 leading industry and company leaders from both Indonesia and France. He noted that the combined market capitalization of these participating entities reaches US$1.3 trillion.
Ervana Trikanaputri contributed to this article
Summary
President Prabowo Subianto concluded his fourth state visit to France on May 29, 2026, after arriving on May 26, in response to an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron. During his trip, which coincided with his observance of Eid al-Adha prayers in Paris, Prabowo stated that bilateral relations were in their best phase and instructed all Indonesian schools to teach French. He also acknowledged the frequency of his visits, noting this was his third to France within five months.
A key outcome was the launch of the France-Indonesia High Level Business Council (FI-HLBC) alongside President Macron. This initiative led to the signing of four new commercial agreements totaling US$3.5 billion. These agreements aim to strengthen cooperation in energy security, trade, and defense, highlighting Indonesia’s position as a strategic partner.