The Indonesian President attended the Bastille Day celebrations at Macron’s invitation on Monday Paris time.
“Thank you for attending our national day celebrations, friend Prabowo. I am proud to see Indonesian soldiers marching alongside our troops,” Macron wrote in Indonesian in a post on his X account @EmmanuelMacron here on Tuesday.
The French leader said that watching the Indonesian contingent march along the Champs-Élysées reminded him of his visit to the Indonesian Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, in May, when he met French-learning military personnel.
“I have a fresh memory of my May visit, especially when I was at the Military Academy in Magelang at the heart of Java Island, where I met Indonesian soldiers who were learning French,” he added.
He then expressed the hope that Indonesia’s participation in the national day event would further strengthen harmonious ties with France.
“From Jakarta to Paris, our strategic partnership will endure and grow stronger,” he added.
President Prabowo, as the guest of honor, observed the Bastille Day parade alongside President Macron, First Lady Brigitte, and several top-ranking French officials from a special podium.
The Indonesian contingent, officially dubbed the Patriot II Task Force, opened the parade. The drum band and majorette unit consisted of 451 personnel from the military, police, and their academies.
The drum band played the national song Maju Tak Gentar as the Indonesian troops passed the high-level podium.
President Prabowo stood in attention and saluted the troops, while his French counterpart applauded their performance.
He also expressed pride over the participation of the Indonesian contingent in the event.
“It is an honor for me to be invited directly by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Bastille Day celebrations, France’s national day. I am proud of the Indonesian contingent for its participation in the military parade,” he said.
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Translator: Genta T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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