Every year on 14 July, France celebrates La Fête Nationale, better known worldwide as Bastille Day, commemorating the ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity, and national unity. In Jakarta, this year's celebration carried an even deeper significance. Hosted by French Ambassador Fabien Penone at the Raffles Hotel Jakarta on the evening of 14 July 2026, the reception became a celebration not only of France's national identity but also of one of the fastest-growing strategic partnerships between Europe and Southeast Asia.
Attended by senior Indonesian ministers, ambassadors, military leaders, business executives, academics, and cultural figures, the evening reflected how Indonesia and France have entered a new chapter of cooperation spanning diplomacy, defense, trade, culture, innovation, and education.
A Celebration of Liberty—and a Friendship Renewed
Opening the reception, Ambassador Fabien Penone welcomed guests by reflecting on the remarkable progress achieved over the past year.
He recalled that exactly one year earlier, President Prabowo Subianto had attended France's National Day celebration in Paris as the guest of honor, where more than 450 Indonesian military and police personnel proudly marched in the historic Bastille Day parade along the Champs-Élysées.
"Since 14 July 2025, our bilateral relationship has continued to grow deeper and more diverse," Ambassador Penone said, noting that the presidents of both countries had met three times since the beginning of 2026.
He also highlighted the state visit of President Prabowo to France in May 2026, during which President Emmanuel Macron and President Prabowo elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level of cooperation between the two countries.
A Comprehensive Partnership Across Every Sector
Ambassador Penone emphasized that the upgraded partnership now extended well beyond diplomacy.
On the international stage, France and Indonesia continued working closely to promote multilateralism, peace, and stability through forums such as the United Nations, the G20, and the OECD accession process. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the two-state solution in the Middle East.
Defense cooperation remained one of the partnership's defining pillars. Ambassador Penone highlighted the official handover of Indonesia's first Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft in May 2026, attended by President Prabowo, describing it as an important milestone in strengthening sovereign defense cooperation. Beyond procurement, France and Indonesia have also expanded joint military training, operational cooperation, and technology transfer, including preparations for the local construction of Scorpène Evolved submarines by PT PAL Indonesia and France's Naval Group in Surabaya.
Economic relations have also continued to flourish.
According to Ambassador Penone, more than 200 French companies are currently operating in Indonesia, employing approximately 55,000 Indonesian workers. French investment now spans transportation, food security, digital technology, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer industries.
He noted that both countries' complementary economies provide tremendous opportunities to further expand bilateral trade and investment, particularly as Indonesia and the European Union move closer toward finalizing the Indonesia–EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Innovation, Culture, and Education Shape the Next Chapter
Beyond defense and business, Ambassador Penone stressed that culture, education, and innovation remain central pillars of bilateral cooperation.
He highlighted the implementation of the Borobudur Declaration, adopted by Presidents Macron and Prabowo in May 2025, which has generated growing cooperation in cultural heritage preservation, museums, creative industries, and film production.
Among the recent milestones are the launch of Goncourt Choices Indonesia, literary collaborations between Semarang and the Cité internationale de la langue française, expanded cooperation around Borobudur and Prambanan, and new joint film production initiatives.
Education and research also continue to gain momentum under the Paris Declaration, while France–Indonesia Innovation Year 2026 has accelerated academic exchanges and partnerships among universities, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems in both countries.
As President Emmanuel Macron previously remarked:
"France and Indonesia share a common ambition for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific built on dialogue, trust, and international law."
President Prabowo Subianto likewise reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment during recent bilateral meetings:
"France is one of Indonesia's important strategic partners, and we are committed to strengthening cooperation for mutual prosperity and regional stability."
Paris Came to Jakarta for One Evening
The reception itself reflected the warmth and vibrancy of the bilateral relationship.
The ballroom at Raffles Hotel was transformed into a celebration inspired by Paris, featuring decorative replicas of the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and French railway station signboards that transported guests to the French capital. A large photo backdrop showcasing the logos of leading French corporate partners became one of the evening's busiest attractions, with guests lining up to capture memories throughout the celebration.
Among the distinguished Indonesian guests were Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai and Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, alongside ambassadors, senior government officials, military officers, business leaders, academics, and members of the diplomatic community.
The festive atmosphere continued throughout the night with live musical performances before a DJ transformed the reception into a lively celebration, as diplomats, executives, and guests from both countries danced together in a relaxed atmosphere that reflected the strong people-to-people ties underpinning bilateral relations.
Looking Ahead Together
The Bastille Day reception in Jakarta served as far more than France's annual national day celebration.
It reflected a bilateral relationship that has evolved into one of France's most important partnerships in Southeast Asia and one of Indonesia's closest strategic relationships in Europe. From defense modernization and economic cooperation to innovation, cultural diplomacy, education, and scientific collaboration, both countries have demonstrated an increasingly ambitious vision for the future.
As Ambassador Fabien Penone concluded his remarks by proclaiming, "Vive la France, Vive l'Indonésie, et Vive l'amitié franco-indonésienne!", the evening captured the spirit of a partnership that continues to be built not only through agreements between governments, but also through enduring friendships between institutions, businesses, artists, researchers, and the people of both nations.
