Jakarta (ANTARA) - French President Emmanuel Macron has invited President Prabowo Subianto to Paris as an honorary guest for Bastille Day celebrations on July 14 this year.
"I have received a personal invitation from him (Macron) to attend as an honorary guest a national day of France called Bastille Day, commemorated every July 14—a date linked to the French Revolution that marked the beginning of the modern French Republic," Prabowo said.
At a joint press conference with Macron at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, he informed that the French President has also invited Indonesia to send a contingent for a parade the same day, which marks the storming of the Bastille.
The Indonesian leader expressed his gratitude for the invitation, saying he is keen to join the celebrations.
"I would like to thank President Macron. In the past, when I was in Paris, I watched the celebrations from the roadside. Now, I have the opportunity to stand on the podium with the president," he remarked.
Prabowo has visited Paris multiple times in the past, including to visit his son, Didiet Hediprasetyo, who previously resided in the French capital.
In his speech, he also highlighted that Indonesia and France currently enjoy robust bilateral relations.
President Macron echoed Prabowo's sentiments, noting that the ties between the two countries have significantly strengthened over the past decade.
Bearing this in mind, he expressed confidence that his three-day visit to Indonesia will be a new milestone in the bilateral strategic partnership and open opportunities for broader cooperation in economy, technology, and security.
On defense and security, Macron highlighted recent military engagements, notably the deployment of French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (RP91) to Bali and West Nusa Tenggara in January this year under the Clemenceau 25 mission.
He also expressed his desire to deepen cultural ties between the two nations.
