MANDALIKA THE MIND OF THE PEOPLE – President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto received a state visit from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, June 15 2026.
This visit was an important momentum in strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Germany which have existed for 74 years.
Based on monitoring on the Presidential Secretariat’s live YouTube, Steinmeier arrived at the Presidential Palace complex at around 11.31 WIB. He was present under tight guard from military police and horsemen. The palace welcomed it with a series of state processions showcasing the richness of Indonesian culture.
When entering the Palace area, the German President was welcomed by traditional dances, the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres) marching band. As well as dozens of elementary school students waving Indonesian and German flags along the welcoming route.
Upon arrival at the Merdeka Palace, President Prabowo immediately welcomed President Steinmeier. He took him to the front yard to take part in the state ceremony.
The welcoming procession included the playing of the Indonesian and German national songs accompanied by 21 cannon blasts as a form of respect for the heads of friendly countries. After that, the two leaders carried out an inspection of the honor guard troops.
After the state ceremony, President Prabowo and President Steinmeier held a meeting. They discussed a number of strategic issues of interest to both countries.
Discuss Cooperation in the Fields of Energy and Culture
Based on information from Der Bundespräsident or the official website of the German presidency, the two leaders will discuss strengthening cooperation in various strategic sectors. Covering business, energy, climate, employment, and culture.
This discussion is part of efforts to strengthen the partnership between Indonesia and Germany amidst continuously developing global dynamics.
Apart from the official agenda at the Merdeka Palace, President Steinmeier will also visit the Istiqlal Mosque and the Silaturahim Tunnel. The tunnel connects the largest mosque in Southeast Asia with the Jakarta Cathedral Church.
He considered that the visit had a strong symbolic meaning because it reflected the harmony and tolerance between religious communities which has long been one of Indonesia’s characteristics.
“This meeting underscores the importance of religious tolerance in Indonesia,” wrote Der Bundespräsident.
While in Jakarta, President Steinmeier is also scheduled to hold dialogue with experts and figures from various local think tanks. The meeting will discuss the role of developing countries in facing increasingly complex global challenges.
Discussions covered various international issues, including sustainable development, economic transformation, climate change, and strengthening multilateral cooperation. ***
