Foreign Minister Defends Prabowo’s Third France Visit This Year

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono confirmed on Thursday that President Prabowo Subianto is currently in France for a state visit. The trip marks the president’s third visit to the country this year, a frequency the minister defended as a direct response to an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Context of the Diplomatic Schedule

The visit is the culmination of a previously delayed diplomatic engagement. According to Minister Sugiono, President Macron had extended an invitation earlier in the year, but scheduling conflicts prevented the meeting from taking place as originally planned in April.

“This visit is to fulfill an invitation from President Macron that had previously been delayed. The earlier invitation was for April, but the timing did not match at that time,” Sugiono stated in a video address. Following those initial complications, the French president extended a second invitation, which the Indonesian leader is now fulfilling.

A Pattern of International Engagement

President Prabowo’s presence in France follows a pattern of active international travel throughout 2026. His previous visits to the country occurred on January 23, following his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and again on April 14, following a trip to Russia where he met with President Vladimir Putin.

Observers may note that these frequent trips signal an intent to maintain consistent dialogue with European counterparts. Looking ahead, the successful conclusion of this visit could set the stage for further bilateral cooperation, though the long-term impact on regional and global partnerships remains a subject of ongoing development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is President Prabowo visiting France for the third time this year?

According to Foreign Minister Sugiono, the visit is a direct response to an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron. It also functions as a reciprocal visit following President Macron’s trip to Indonesia in May 2025.

Was the visit originally scheduled for a different date?

Yes. Minister Sugiono noted that an earlier invitation was extended for April, but the meeting did not occur at that time due to scheduling conflicts.

What were the President’s previous visits to France this year?

President Prabowo visited France on January 23 after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, and again on April 14 following a visit to Russia.

How do you think these recurring high-level diplomatic meetings influence the broader international standing of Indonesia?