Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Friday (July 21) made a courtesy call on French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France.

According to a statement received here on Saturday, Subianto and Macron discussed Indonesia's determination to enhance its strategic partnership with France under the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Besides the purchase of defense armaments, the two sides discussed defense cooperation in the aspect of transfer of technology, joint development and production, and defense principles.

Subianto said that one of the principles of Indonesia's defense policy is bolstering international cooperation in the defense sector.

"I wish to underscore that one of the principles of Indonesia's defense policy in the 2020–2024 period is to develop and bolster international cooperation in the defense sector, including by cooperating with countries in the South Pacific region," the minister added.

Before the meeting with President Macron, Subianto and Marsudi attended a 2+2 meeting with their respective counterparts, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

Subianto said that the 2+2 meeting went very well and described Indonesia's relationship with France, especially in the defense field, as the best in decades.

He also conveyed President Joko Widodo's interest in increasing cooperation with France in the defense sector, including in technology transfer programs and the purchase of defense equipment.

During the meeting, the minister sought to explore ways to intensify military cooperation, especially in the fields of education, soldier exchanges, and joint training.

"We are very satisfied with this meeting. We see very good strategic cooperation in the future," Subianto remarked.

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Translator: Narda Margaretha, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Arie Novarina
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