Wednesday, 29 July 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - Deputy Mayor of Medan, H. Zakiyuddin Harahap, received the French Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Fabien Penone, during a courtesy visit on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Deputy Mayor's official residence on Jalan Gurila, Medan.
The meeting discussed various opportunities for cooperation between the Medan City Government and the French Government in several strategic sectors, including education, tourism, culture, and the development of the creative economy, particularly in the film industry.Zakiyuddin stated that the relationship between Medan and France has significant potential for further development. He believes cross-sector collaboration could provide numerous benefits for the people of Medan, especially the younger generation, who require greater access to education and opportunities to develop their creativity.
In the education sector, Zakiyuddin revealed that the French Government has opened opportunities for young people from Medan to continue their education or pursue higher studies in France. He considered the opportunity a valuable chance that should be utilized by outstanding students and young talents.
He encouraged the younger generation in Medan not to hesitate in taking advantage of educational opportunities in France. According to him, the local government must play an active role by providing comprehensive information so that these opportunities can be widely known by the public."In France, our children can attend schools and universities, with the costs covered by the state, of course after going through certain selection processes. Therefore, no one should be afraid to try, because this opportunity is open to everyone," Zakiyuddin said.
To expand access to information regarding these educational programs, Zakiyuddin instructed the Medan Education and Culture Office to immediately establish active coordination. The goal is to provide outstanding students in Medan with clear information about educational opportunities available in France.He expressed hope that more young people from Medan would take advantage of international opportunities to improve their skills while making positive contributions to regional development.
Besides education, the meeting also addressed the development of tourism and culture. Zakiyuddin explained that Medan, as a multicultural city with diverse ethnic communities, possesses a unique cultural identity.
He said this cultural diversity is an important asset to introduce Medan to the international community. During the meeting, Zakiyuddin presented various local cultures and national cultural events, including Gelar Melayu Serumpun (GEMES).Through cultural events, the Medan City Government continues its efforts to attract more international visitors and introduce the city's cultural richness to global audiences.
"Through events like these, we want to invite foreign tourists to visit Medan. I also hope that our culture will become increasingly recognized abroad," Zakiyuddin said.He expressed optimism that cooperation with France could create new opportunities to promote Medan's culture globally. In addition to strengthening the tourism sector, the partnership is expected to improve the economic conditions of the community through the creative economy and tourism industries.
The creative economy, particularly the film industry, was also among the key topics discussed during the meeting. Zakiyuddin views France's international reputation in film and cinema as a major opportunity to develop the potential of young filmmakers in Medan.
He believes creative collaboration in the film sector could provide local talents with opportunities to gain experience, build international networks, and collaborate with filmmakers from various countries."We plan to initiate creative cooperation involving renowned directors. The French Ambassador stated today that he would communicate with Joko Anwar in Jakarta to develop an art and film collaboration project that can be implemented directly in Medan," Zakiyuddin explained.
Meanwhile, French Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Mr. Fabien Penone expressed his appreciation for the warm reception from the Medan City Government. He said the visit was part of efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and France.Fabien Penone explained that the intensification of cooperation between the two countries had previously been discussed at the strategic level by the governments of Indonesia and France. He emphasized that collaboration in various sectors remains one of the main priorities of the French Government.
"This cooperation is a top priority for us. We want to continue strengthening relations in the fields of economy, tourism, and human resource development," Fabien Penone said.The meeting was attended by Zakiyuddin Harahap along with Medan Regional Secretariat Assistant for General Administration Laksamana Putra Siregar, Assistant for Economy and Development of the Medan Regional Secretariat Citra Effendi Capah, Secretary of the Education and Culture Office Andy Yudhistira, and Secretary of the Tourism Office T. Roby Chairi.
The meeting between the Medan City Government and the French Embassy marks an initial step toward strengthening cooperation that is not only focused on diplomatic relations but also aims to deliver concrete benefits for the community, particularly in education, culture, tourism, and the creative economy sectors. (IDNC)REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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