TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has welcomed Indonesia’s plan to establish an embassy in and direct flight to Belarus. Lukashenko extended his appreciation to President Prabowo Subianto following their meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
In a joint press conference at the Merdeka Palace after their meeting, Lukashenko said, “I would like to thank President Prabowo for the plan to open an Indonesian embassy.”
Indonesia’s representative in Belarus is currently combined with Russia, as its Embassy in Moscow also houses the government representative to Belarus.
Lukashenko also appreciated Prabowo’s willingness to open a direct flight route between Indonesia and Belarus. “The people of Belarus are highly interested in visiting Indonesia,” he said.
According to Lukashenko, his government attaches great importance to the tourism sector. He also expressed interest in discussing visa waivers between the two countries.
“I would also like to thank the President for the support in developing people-to-people relations between the two countries, including discussions on visa-free facilities and the launch of flight connectivity in the future,” he added.
Belarus, he said, sees Indonesia not only as an economic partner but also as a very attractive tourist destination. “We hope that Belarusians will find it easier to visit Indonesia, and likewise,” said the man who has led Belarus since 1994.
At the same time, Prabowo expressed his appreciation for Lukashenko’s visit to Jakarta. “I am confident that this momentum will further strengthen the Indonesia-Belarus partnership and open up broader opportunities for cooperation,” he said.
Lukashenko landed in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. He was welcomed by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta. That evening, Lukashenko stayed at the State Palace in Jakarta.
Foreign Minister Sugiono said that staying at the Palace was Lukashenko’s wish. He stated that the Indonesian government honored the request as a sign of respect to the President.
According to Sugiono, most other heads of state usually prefer to stay in hotels. “This time, he wanted to stay at the Palace,” Sugiono said.
Read: Prabowo Plans Reciprocal State Visit to Belarus
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