InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – The strategic relationship between Indonesia and France has gained renewed attention through the visit of a French aircraft carrier to Indonesia. During a video teleconference with the Commander of the France Carrier Strike Group held at the residence of the French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, on January 21, 2025, various strategic issues were discussed to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Luigi Pralangga, Christopher Nugroho, as well as officials from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Resilience Institute, Indonesian National Police, and leaders from the French defense industry.
Ambassador Fabien Penone reaffirmed France's commitment to enhancing bilateral relations. The focus of cooperation includes project financing and technology transfer in the defense sector. "We are committed to strengthening sustainable partnerships through technical cooperation, technology transfer, and other strategic support," Penone stated, as reported by InfoSAWIT from the official KSP website on January 22, 2025.
The French aircraft carrier is scheduled to stop in Bali and Lombok before returning to France. Their presence reflects the strategic relationship between the two countries in maintaining regional stability, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.
Despite the close bilateral ties, palm oil issues remain a sticking point. France is known as one of the EU countries opposing palm oil imports. As the largest vegetable oil producer in the EU, France is often seen as protecting its domestic industry by rejecting palm oil as a biofuel feedstock.
According to Muhammad Aditya Pradhana in his journal titled "Analysis of Changes in the EU's Attitude Towards Indonesian Palm Oil Imports," France's stance is related to protecting its agricultural interests. France has successfully become the largest producer of biofuel feedstock in the EU, but its usage rate remains low, reaching only 16.6% in 2018, far from the 23% target for 2020.
The visit of the aircraft carrier is expected to open new opportunities, not only in the defense sector but also for dialogue on strategic issues such as palm oil. Technology transfer cooperation from France could help Indonesia enhance maritime security and support industrial independence.
However, the success of this relationship also depends on how both countries can find common ground regarding trade and sustainability challenges, including strategic commodities like palm oil. (T2)
