France and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1951.[1] The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. Since 2011 France and Indonesia have formed a strategic partnership.[2]
France has an embassy in Jakarta while Indonesia has an embassy in Paris. The relations between the two nations are important as both are democratic republics and each holds significant geopolitical influences in its respective region. France is a key member of the European Union, while Indonesia is a core constituent of ASEAN. The diplomatic relations between France and Indonesia are a key element for developing relations between Indonesia and the European Union and between France and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.[3] Both nations are the member of G-20 major economies.
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 56% of Indonesians view France's influence positively, with only 14% expressing a negative view. This is one of the most favourable perceptions of France in the Asia-Pacific, only lagging behind more positive views by South Korea and Australia.[4]
History
Before Indonesian Independence
The indirect relationship between France and Indonesia commenced during the early 19th century colonial Dutch East Indies. During the Napoleonic Wars, the Netherlands fell to the French Empire, which also seized territorial possessions belonging to the Netherlands in the East Indies. For a short period between 1806 and 1811, Indonesia was subject to French administration.[5] During the reign of Governor General Herman Willem Daendels (1808–1811), France exercised its political influence in the East Indies through the Dutch Republic. Daendels was Dutch Francophile, and during his reign in Java he built a grand palace known as Het White Huis (The White House) or Het Groote Huis (The Big House), today the Indonesian Ministry of Finance building, that demonstrate French Empire style.[6] He also renamed the Buffelsveld (buffalo field) to Champs de Mars (today Merdeka square). The battle for Java was fought between British and French-Dutch Republics during Anglo-Dutch Java War in 1811.
The French Revolution and its Republic government also inspired the later Indonesian nationalist movement in the early 20th century. The political concept of the Republic of Indonesia was partly influenced by the Republic of France model. Indonesia also adopted the Napoleonic Continental legal system through Dutch intermediary. Indonesian law is often described as a member of the 'civil law' or 'Continental' group of legal systems found in European countries such as France and the Netherlands.[7]
After Indonesian Independence
France recognized Indonesia's sovereignty in 1950 [8] and then established diplomatic relations. Indonesia's first president Sukarno visited France three times in 1963, 1964 and 1965.[9] Then continued by Indonesia's second president Soeharto in 1972,[10] an intense meeting indicated that France was an important country for Indonesia. The first French president to visit Indonesia was François Mitterrand in 1986,[11] indicating that there was close cooperation between the two countries. In 1992, Soeharto visited France again for strategic economic cooperation.[12] After the fall of the new order regime, President Abdurrahman Wahid visited France in 2000 and President Yudhoyono in 2009.[13][14] In 2017, after 30 years, the French president visited Indonesia again François Hollande, indicating the warming of relations between the two countries in the twenty-first century.[15]
During the G20 2022 meeting in Bali, French president Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Joko Widodo alongside Indonesian Ministry of Defence Prabowo realized the major military and investment procurement for Indonesia and France.[16][17]
Economic relations
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The relationship between France and Indonesia is multifaceted, encompassing development cooperation, robust economic and commercial ties, and cultural exchanges. The long history of collaboration and the presence of French companies in Indonesia underscore the importance of this bilateral relationship, which continues to evolve and strengthen over time.
Historical Background and Development Cooperation
France has maintained a development cooperation program with Indonesia for many years. For thirty years, between 1967 and 2007, France provided aid to Indonesia within the international coordination arrangements established under Inter-Governmental Group on Indonesia and the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI). During the period when the CGI was active (1992-2007), annual meetings were often held in Paris, facilitating close coordination and collaboration between the two nations on developmental projects.
Economic and Commercial Relations
The Indonesian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) was established in 1986 to develop and foster economic, commercial, and financial relations between France and Indonesia.[18] This organization has played a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral trade and investment.
In 2011, bilateral trade between France and Indonesia amounted to approximately US$2.5 billion. France has emerged as the 13th largest investor in Indonesia, reflecting a strong economic partnership. Indonesian imports from France include a diverse range of products such as aircraft equipment, machinery and computers, electronic and precision equipment, chemicals, cosmetics and perfumes, food, metals and metallurgical products, and pharmaceuticals. Conversely, France imports agricultural, silvicultural, and fishery products, as well as textiles and footwear from Indonesia.
French Companies in Indonesia
Currently, about 100 French companies operate in Indonesia, contributing significantly to the local economy and providing various goods and services. Notable French companies in Indonesia include:
These companies play a crucial role in strengthening the economic ties between the two countries by investing in various sectors and creating employment opportunities in Indonesia.
Cultural and Diplomatic Exchanges
Beyond economic cooperation, France and Indonesia also engage in cultural and diplomatic exchanges. These exchanges foster mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both nations. Educational programs, cultural events, and diplomatic visits are some of the ways in which France and Indonesia continue to build a strong bilateral relationship.
Culture
The objective of French cultural cooperation action is to support Indonesia's development as a new emerging country. Accordingly, it gives priority to research (rural development, aquaculture, volcanology, geophysics, and archaeology), university exchanges, primarily in the fields of technology and biological sciences, vocational training, support for strengthening the rule of law and democratic governance. Which includes legislative technical assistance, fight against terrorism and corruption, decentralization, human rights training. The implementation of quality cultural actions, such as through the "French Springtime" (Le Printemps Français) cultural festival and audiovisual policy.
France also has established Institut Français in Indonesian cities of Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, a French cultural center with the mission to promote French culture in Indonesia through cultural performances and exhibitions, film and mediatheque.[19]
Language
The culture-linguistic relations between Indonesian and French were conducted through Dutch, as evident in Indonesian loanwords from French that mainly political or military terms, such as kudeta (from coup d'état), legiun (from légion) and letnan (from lieutenant).
Based on the expertise of the Advisory Board on Archaeological Research Abroad, the Foreign Affairs Ministry (DGCID) subsidisies the following archaeological missions in Indonesia:
Borneo: Diachronic study of uses and Rock Art in the caves and rock shelters of East Kalimantan
Java 01: A prehistoric site from the upper Pleistocene period
Java 02: The first populations on the Indonesian archipelago
Tapanuli
Music
In art and musics, France and Indonesia has mutual cultural ambassador, Anggun an IndonesianFrench-naturalised singer-songwriter, is popular in both France and Indonesia.[20][21]
Current issue
Capital punishment
In 2015, a French citizen Serge Atlaoui, is facing deathrow in Indonesian prison.[22] During the raid on a factory producing ecstasy in Tangerang, in 2005, the Indonesian police busted Atlaoui there. He was subsequently convicted in 2007 for the possession of 138 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 290kg of ketamine and 316 drums of precursor substances. Atlaoui has repeatedly denied the charges; saying that he was installing industrial machinery in what he thought was an acrylics factory.[23]
On 22 April 2015, French President Francois Hollande warned Indonesia that the execution would damage the relations between the two nations.[24] Atlaoui was spared from the execution on 29 April 2015, and currently, his sentence is being postponed.[25] France is strongly opposed to the death penalty in any place and in any context, not only when the life of a French national is at stake. France has been abolitionist since 1981.[2] Diplomatic relations are described as 'normal' despite the Atlaoui case.[23]
Defense Ties
After France and Australia heated relations with AUKUS debacle, France moves closer with Indonesia for the security of Indo-Pacific Region and also sells 42 Dassault Rafale fighters alongside Scorpene submarine's.[26][27][28]
Since independence, Indonesian foreign relations have adhered to a "free and active" foreign policy, seeking to play a role in regional affairs commensurate with its size and location but avoiding involvement in conflicts among major powers. During the presidency of Sukarno, Indonesia's foreign relations were marked by engagement with other newly independent nations in Asia and Africa, as exemplified by the Bandung Conference, the subsequent foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement and a confrontational attitude towards Western powers, justified by a belief in the CONEFO and opposition to what Sukarno termed as NEKOLIM.
China and Indonesia established formal diplomatic relations in 1949, more commonly referred to as Sino-Indonesian relations. Prior to this, for many centuries, the two countries maintained a variety of relations mainly in informal trade. Under Sukarno’s presidency, from 1945 to 1967, relations with China deepened, as in the early 1960s Sukarno embarked on a series of aggressive foreign policies under the rubric of anti-imperialism and personally championed the Non-Aligned Movement. These developments led to increasing friction with the West and closer relations both with China and the USSR.
India and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 16 April 1949. Both countries are neighbours, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Indonesia along the Andaman Sea.
Indonesia and Romania established diplomatic relations on 20 February 1950, two days following Romania's recognition of Indonesian sovereignty on 18 February 1950. Indonesia and Romania have agreed to enhance cooperation in the trade sector. The nations are expecting the other to be the gate to enter each regional market: Indonesia as the gate to enter the ASEAN market and Romania as the gate to enter the European Union's. Indonesia has an embassy in Bucharest and Romania has an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia-Turkey relations refers to diplomatic relations betweeen Turkey and Indonesia. They have strong ties.
Indonesia and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1949 and have maintained strong relations since then. Indonesia has an embassy in London while the United Kingdom has an embassy in Jakarta. The United Kingdom considers Indonesia an increasingly important partner globally and is committed to efforts to take bilateral relations to new heights. Both nations are members of G-20 major economies.
Denmark and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1974. Denmark has an embassy in Jakarta, and Indonesia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Bilateral relations are strong, as well as the humanitarian response to the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed the lives of 45 Danes. In 2015, after focusing on China and South Korea, Denmark is gearing up to enhance its relations with Indonesia, hoping that it will help Denmark to build strong ties with the whole Southeast Asian region.
Indonesia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1955. Indonesia has an embassy in Hanoi and a consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City while Vietnam has an embassy in Jakarta. Both are neighboring nations that have a maritime border which lies on the South China Sea and are members of ASEAN and APEC.
Indonesia and South Africa established formal diplomatic relations on 12 August 1994. The South African Embassy in Jakarta was established in January 1995, and Indonesia opened its embassy in Pretoria in 1995. Both nations are members of numerous organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Non-Aligned Movement, Indian-Ocean Rim Association, Cairns Group, CIVETS and G-20 major economies. In 2012, during a briefing on Foreign Policy initiatives for 2012, Indonesia named South Africa amongst its 14 strategic partners and Dutch colonial period East Indies overseas countries.
Indonesia and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1949. Indonesia has an embassy in Yangon, while Myanmar has an embassy in Jakarta.
Indonesia and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1973. Both countries share a common vision, values and the will to contribute to the international community as middle powers. Both countries are members of G-20 and APEC. South Korea has an embassy in Jakarta and Indonesia has an embassy in Seoul. According to a 2014 BBC World Service Poll, 48% of Indonesians view South Korea's influence positively, with 27% expressing a negative view. The Chinese Indonesian merchant Chen Yanxiang visited Korea between the 1390s and the 1410s, the first major contact between the two nations.
Indonesia and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations on 6 August 1952. Both nations share some cultural similarities. Indonesia and Sri Lanka are members of numerous organizations such as the World Trade Organization and Indian-Ocean Rim Association. They are also founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Indonesia has an embassy in Colombo, while Sri Lanka has an embassy in Jakarta.
The nations of Indonesia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1953. Both nations view their counterpart as strategic partners in each other's regions; Indonesia in Southeast Asia and Mexico in Latin America. Both nations are mutual members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation, Group of 15, G20, MIKTA, United Nations, and the World Trade Organization.
Indonesia and Kenya established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1979. Indonesia has an embassy in Nairobi, also accredited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Uganda, and in 2022 Kenya established its embassy in Jakarta. Both nations are partners in multilateral organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Non-Aligned Movement.
Indonesia and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1958. Spain identifies Indonesia as their natural ally and has named Indonesia as one of their priority nations in their foreign relations with the Asia-Pacific region. Indonesia has an embassy in Madrid, while Spain has an embassy in Jakarta and a consulate in Seminyak, Bali. Today, the cooperation has expanded to various fields, including trade, culture, education, and defense technology.
Austria and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 20 November 1954. Austria recognizes Indonesia as a stable and reliable partner, and both countries enjoy excellent relations. The two nations have agreed to expand relations in business, trade and investment, tourism, culture, environment and green technology. Austria has an embassy in Jakarta and honorary consulates in Yogyakarta, Bandung and Surabaya, while Indonesia has an embassy in Vienna that is also accredited to Slovenia.
Indonesia and Tanzania established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1964. The relations between both nations are mostly in the agriculture sector, where Indonesia provides training for Tanzanian farmers. In 2011 both countries established Indonesia-Tanzania Joint Agriculture Cooperation Committee (JACC), as a vehicle to improve agricultural sector co-operations, such as capacity building through training, joint research, and the expansion of market access to agricultural products. Indonesia has an embassy in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has a non-resident ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Since 2023, Tanzania had opened an embassy in Jakarta. Both countries are members of multilateral organisations such as World Trade Organization (WTO), the Group of 77 and Non-Aligned Movement.
France–Qatar relations are the bilateral relations between France and the Qatar. The first embassy to be established was the Qatari embassy in France in 1972, and the first bilateral agreement was signed in 1974. Qatar has marked various concurrences with France, covering all areas such as cultural, political, economical, academic, scientific and military agreements. The nations are tied in a key discourse protocol, where conversation over various issues of significance to the two capitals are occurring consistently.
France–Netherlands relations are the interstate and bilateral relations between France and the Netherlands. The two countries notably share a border division in the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, to which the northern part of the island is a French overseas collectivity known as the Collectivity of Saint Martin, while the southern part of the island is a Dutch constituent country known as Sint Maarten. Relations between the two countries date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when a conflict led to the transformation of the Dutch Republic to the Batavian Republic and eventually the Kingdom of Holland. The two countries currently enjoy close cultural and economic relations. Both nations are members of the OECD and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as well as founding members of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations.
Indonesia–Mozambique relations are the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Mozambique. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Indian-Ocean Rim Association.
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