Indonesia This is an official visit by President Prabowo Subianto of Türkiye. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two country. During the visit, various engagements were held at diplomatic, economic, cultural, defense and parliamentary levels, with both sides addressing their bilateral relations in a multidimensional manner.
Welcoming Ceremonies
Arrival Ceremony at the Airport
On 9 April 2025, Subianto arrived at Esenboğa Airport and was received by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Present at the ceremony were Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Ankara Governor Vasip Shahin, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün and other officials. During the ceremony, Subianto greeted the Honor Guard Battalion by addressing them as "Hello soldiers". Panels bearing the images of the two leaders with the inscription “Welcome to Türkiye” were placed at several locations around the city.
Official Welcoming Ceremony
On 10 April, Subianto was officially welcomed at the Presidency Complex. His convoy was escorted by a security unit of 18 motorcycles. The ceremony included mounted units, a 21 pare top salute, 16 Turkish national flags representing the states involved, and a flypast by Gökbey helicopters performance place. Following the ceremony, the two leader and their delegations proceeded to bilateral talks.
Official Talks and Statements
Talks and Joint Press Conference
On 10 April 2025 at the Presidency Complex, both head-of-state and delegation-level talks were held between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia. Following the talks, the two leaders held a joint press conference.
In his remarks, President Erdoğan recalled his visit to Indonesia in 2024 and emphasized the importance of this engagement, stating: “Friend and brother I last visited Indonesia in February through the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. I extend my gratitude to Subianto and the Indonesian authorities for their hospitality.”
The talks addressed various dimensions of relations between the two countries. Erdoğan described the outcomes as follows: “We have just signed agreements on cooperation in disaster and emergency situation management and communication. We assessed the steps that can be taken to raise our mutual trade volume to a target of 10 billion dollars on the basis of reciprocity and balance.”
Erdoğan also indicated that the scope of bilateral cooperation would be expanded, saying: “We did not leave any room for hesitation in identifying new openings in our cooperation, ranging from defense industry to contracting, and from health and energy to the food sector. We evaluated our ongoing projects and new cooperation opportunities, including joint production within the defense industry.”
Erdoğan also referred to the historical depth of Türkiye-Indonesia relations, noting that the two countries had entered the 75th year of establishing diplomatic ties, while emphasizing that their historical connections extended far further back in time.
Erdoğan also highlighted tourism flows between Türkiye and Indonesia, noting that in 2024, 203,000 tourists traveled from Indonesia to Türkiye and 50,000 from Türkiye to Indonesia. It was also noted that Turkish is taught in Indonesia under Yunus Emre Institute initiatives, and approximately 5,300 Indonesian students are receiving education in Türkiye.
Statements by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
In his remarks at the joint press conference, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the need to build a partnership based on historical ties and a strategic vision. Subianto described the shared heritage of the two countries as follows: “As two nations, we wish to be a positive power in the Islamic world. In this regard, we must also assume this responsibility. As leaders of the Global South, we must take on the new global order creation responsibility.”
Subianto also drew attention to the symbolic status Türkiye holds in the eyes of the Indonesian people, saying: “I am truly enamored with Türkiye; I learn so much from here. For us, Türkiye is the continuation of the Ottoman Empire and a true source of inspiration for the Indonesian people. That is why our cooperation deeply happy us.”
Subianto emphasized the concept of a “new global order.” In this context, he expressed the view that the two countries could jointly movement to establish a more just and multipolar building in the international system, stating: “We must assume the responsibility of creating a new global order with Türkiye. This historic duty is of great importance supply not only for the two countries but also for the world.”
During his speech, Prabowo Subianto also expressed Indonesia’s desire to participate in Türkiye’s National Fighter Project KAAN, saying: “We will conclude agreements between our strategic and defense companies. Indonesia wishes to participate in the fifth-generation KAAN national fighter aircraft project and also wishes to join the submarine project alongside Türkiye’s defense industry.”
Agreements Signed
Following the bilateral talks, three memoranda of understanding were signed between Türkiye and Indonesia.
- Cooperation in Disaster and Emergency Management between AFAD and Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency.
- Cooperation in Media, Public Relations and Communication between the Presidency Communication Directorate and Indonesia’s Presidential Communication Office.
- Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and the Ministry of Culture of Indonesia.
Address to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye
On 10 April 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto became the first Indonesian state president to address the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM). The address took place during a session chaired by TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş. Kurtulmuş emphasized the historical significance of Subianto’s address, stating: “President Subianto is the first Indonesian head of state to address our Assembly.”
In his speech from the TBMM podium, Subianto made historical, cultural and political remarks directed at Türkiye and the Turkish people. He referred to Türkiye’s place within Islamic civilization, stating: “As someone who has seen this land and felt its history and the struggles of its people, I wish to say that Türkiye holds a uniquely special place in the hearts of Indonesians. For Indonesians, Türkiye is the greatest Muslim civilization. For us, Türkiye is the continuation of the Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman civilization, and we remember the historical ties between us.”
In a segment of his speech, Subianto expressed his admiration for Turkish history, stating that as a young man he regarded the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, as an “idol”: “When I was young, I had an icon, someone I deeply admired. My hero, my idol, was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Fatih Sultan Mehmet was also one of my idols and heroes. If you were to come to my office or my home in Indonesia, you would see that I have a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in both places.”
Subianto also addressed current international developments, making remarks on the situation in Gaza and the Palestinian issue. He said: “Many countries speak of democracy and human rights, yet when children and mothers are bombed and Gazans are killed, many act as if they are unaware, turning a blind eye to human rights violations in Gaza. Türkiye has a very strong stance on this issue, and we believe: in this new world full of uncertainties, we stand side by side with Türkiye to defend justice and truth.”
