Arriving at the palace at around 11:30 a.m. with a delegation of German business figures, Steinmeier was accorded a ceremonial welcome featuring a motorcade escort, honor guard, rows of elementary schoolchildren and a traditional dance performance, before holding closed-door discussions with Prabowo that lasted about an hour.

In a joint statement after their meeting, Steinmeier stressed the importance of close ties between the two countries as steadfast supporters of international law under the United Nations Charter, describing Indonesia as a key partner as one of Southeast Asia’s most important “stabilizing forces”. 

Noting the recent signing of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), Steinmeier said both countries were now looking to develop an improved “trade framework” to facilitate bilateral economic ties. He added that Berlin’s interest in expanding business cooperation with Jakarta remained high. 

“This is reflected in the delegation accompanying me, comprising major and important companies from across various sectors of the economy and production. Efforts are also being made to open new pathways for renewable energy,” Steinmeier said. 

“We are observing developments driven by climate and political, geopolitical dynamics worldwide, which has revealed to us just how dependent countries remain on fossil energy sources,” he said.

Among the global leaders in energy transition, Berlin has played a leading role in financing clean-energy transitions internationally, including as co-lead of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and as a major contributor to international climate finance initiatives like the Green Climate Fund.

Popular

Students to rally against Prabowo amid economic pressures

Long-sought police reform stalled at the institutional gate

State budget injection into Danantara could raise fiscal risks