President Prabowo Subianto today held a significant meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the historic Elysee Palace in Paris. Prior to their formal discussions, President Prabowo took the opportunity to emphasize the crucial role of French language instruction within Indonesia’s education system.
Following this assertion, President Prabowo issued a directive for Indonesian schools at all levels to integrate French language teaching into their curriculum. He underscored the importance of this initiative by also expressing a strong desire to elevate educational cooperation between Indonesia and France to new heights.
Confirming his commitment, President Prabowo stated during a speech at the Elysee Palace, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, May 28, “I have instructed that all levels of Indonesian schools must learn French, seeing future global developments.” This instruction highlights his vision for preparing Indonesian students for an increasingly interconnected world.
During his remarks, President Prabowo also affirmed the current excellent state of relations between Indonesia and France. He elaborated that the bilateral ties are robust and thriving across various sectors, ranging from defense and security to advancements in science and technology.
Looking ahead, President Prabowo’s agenda for discussions with President Macron included critical topics such as defense collaboration, clean energy initiatives, educational partnerships, joint research endeavors, and the ongoing RI-European Union trade agreement. Furthermore, both Indonesia and France are committed to bolstering economic cooperation with the aim of significantly boosting mutual investment.
To actively facilitate this enhanced economic partnership and foster greater investment, a new entity known as the France-Indonesia Business High Level Council will be established. President Prabowo conveyed his enthusiasm for this development, stating, “This is important, we are happy about the participation of French companies in the Indonesian economy.”
This initiative regarding foreign language education is not an isolated one for President Prabowo; it marks a continuation of his broader vision for equipping Indonesian students with diverse linguistic skills. Notably, following a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in October 2025, President Prabowo had similarly encouraged schools to introduce Portuguese language instruction.
Summary
During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, President Prabowo Subianto mandated that all levels of Indonesian schools integrate French language instruction into their curriculum. He emphasized this initiative is crucial for preparing students for future global developments and to elevate educational cooperation between Indonesia and France. This directive aligns with his broader vision for diverse linguistic skills, having previously encouraged Portuguese language instruction.
President Prabowo affirmed robust bilateral ties with France across various sectors, including defense, security, and science and technology. His agenda with President Macron included critical topics like defense collaboration, clean energy, and educational partnerships. To bolster economic cooperation and mutual investment, a France-Indonesia Business High Level Council will be established.