Jakarta, April 24, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Prabowo Subianto welcomed Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday morning, in what marked the first official visit by a Fijian head of government to Indonesia. The visit holds special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Fiji.
Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation arrived at the palace at approximately 10:30 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), where they were accorded a ceremonial welcome. The occasion featured a guard of honor, cavalry procession, and enthusiastic greetings from elementary school students waving the national flags of both nations.
President Prabowo extended a warm personal greeting to Prime Minister Rabuka, who was dressed in a black suit paired with a traditional sulu skirt. The two leaders then took part in a formal welcoming ceremony that included the playing of the national anthems of Indonesia and Fiji, complemented by 19 ceremonial cannon salutes.
Following the welcoming rituals, the two heads of government jointly inspected the honor guard and introduced members of their respective delegations. President Prabowo was accompanied by several key cabinet members, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto.
The leaders proceeded to the credential room, where they posed for an official photograph and signed the state guest book. A tête-à-tête meeting was then held at the President’s office to discuss matters of mutual interest in a private setting.
Subsequently, a bilateral meeting involving delegations from both countries was scheduled to further explore opportunities for enhancing cooperation in various fields.
To conclude the series of events, President Prabowo will host an official luncheon in honor of Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation.
Earlier, Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, noted that the discussions between the two leaders would focus on strengthening bilateral relations and deepening cooperation between Indonesia and Fiji across multiple sectors.
