TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Spokesperson of the Gerindra Party, Sugiat Santoso, stated that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit Austria and Hungary, after completing the agenda in France. Thus, there are a total of three European countries that Prabowo will visit during this state visit.
"President Prabowo will visit three European countries at the end of May 2026, namely France, Austria, and Hungary. These three countries have strategic positions that Indonesia needs," said Sugiat in a written statement on May 29, 2026.
He believes that Prabowo is carrying out the principle of active and independent foreign policy through proactive diplomacy by visiting various countries. The Commission XIII Vice Chair of the House of Representatives (DPR) is convinced that the repeated visits to France are an effort to build political closeness with France, which has the largest military and technological power in Western Europe.
In terms of cooperation with President Emmanuel Macron, Sugiat mentioned that France does not sell advanced weapon systems just because a country has a lot of money. He also implied that this decision reinforces Indonesia's stance of not following the United States or succumbing to China.
"The repeated visits to Paris are Prabowo's way of building a high level of trust with President Macron so that Indonesia is given access to military technology that not just any country can buy," he said.
On the other hand, Sugiat views Austria as the gateway to the manufacturing industry in Central Europe, and Hungary as the center for electric vehicle (EV) battery development. He stated that a visit to Hungary would mean securing Indonesia's position in the battery supply chain in Europe, through the most open door.
Sugiat then claimed that Prabowo's marathon visits from France to Austria and Hungary have been calculated as tactical steps to secure investment opportunities and downstreaming. Furthermore, he said that Indonesia has approximately 65 percent of the nickel reserves sought by the global electric vehicle industry.
He emphasized that the results of Prabowo's diplomacy cannot be judged over the course of a few weeks or months. Building commitments, technology transfer, and securing investments in those three countries are long-term foundations that will bear fruit in several years.
"Evaluating the success of international diplomacy based on the results of a few weeks or months is an illogical way of thinking," he said.
President Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The two state leaders are currently discussing various sectors.
Prior to the joint press statement with Macron, Prabowo mentioned that several strategic issues will be prioritized for discussion. These include the implementation of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).
"Today, I think we will discuss some important issues. Cooperation in defense, clean energy, education, research, and the implementation of the Indonesia-European Union CEPA agreement," said Prabowo in a joint press statement with Macron during the state visit at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, May 28, 2026, as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat, Friday, May 29, 2026.
According to Prabowo, the current relationship between Indonesia and France is the best it has ever been. The head of state also expressed appreciation for Macron's commitment and leadership in fostering a closer partnership between the two countries. Prabowo mentioned that Indonesia and France have similar views on addressing various global and regional issues. He believes that the positive, evolving bilateral relationship is directly linked to Macron's support for strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Prabowo's visit to France this time marks his third visit in the last five months. He previously visited France in January and April.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to this article
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