Magelang, May 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto personally welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to the Borobudur Temple complex on Thursday afternoon, capping off a day of high-level engagements marked by cultural diplomacy and strengthened bilateral ties.
Following a visit to the Indonesian Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang and a luncheon with their respective delegations, Presidents Prabowo and Macron continued their program with a cultural visit to Borobudur Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Central Java’s Magelang District.
Upon arriving at the temple complex, both leaders stepped out of a shared black sedan and appeared in coordinated white shirts and dark sunglasses, briefly pausing to pose for photographs before proceeding on foot across the temple’s courtyard.
In a display of informal diplomacy and personal camaraderie, President Prabowo then took the wheel of a golf buggy, with President Macron seated beside him. The two leaders were seen conversing in a relaxed manner during the short drive toward the temple area. They were later joined by French First Lady Brigitte Macron and Prabowo’s son, Didit Hediprasetyo, who took their seats in the rear of the buggy. President Prabowo continued driving the group to a more secluded part of the complex, out of view from the media.
According to sources on-site, the Indonesian government installed a stair lift at the historic site at the request of the French government, ensuring accessibility during President Macron’s official visit.
The leaders were scheduled to ascend the temple summit, where they were expected to sign a friendship and cultural cooperation agreement. A joint statement highlighting the significance of cultural preservation and bilateral exchange was also anticipated.
President Macron’s visit to Borobudur was specifically included at his request during his official visit to Indonesia from May 27 to 29, 2025, as part of a broader Southeast Asia tour. The visit underscores the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in enhancing the Comprehensive Partnership between Indonesia and France.
