RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, held a bilateral meeting with German Ambassador to Indonesia, Ralf Beste, in Jakarta, Tuesday, 24 February 2026. The talks underscored both countries’ intention to modernize and expand cultural cooperation amid evolving global dynamics.

During the discussion, both sides explored updating the Memorandum of Understanding under the 1988 Agreement on Cultural Cooperation. Fadli Zon affirmed that renewing the framework would ensure that bilateral cultural ties remain relevant to contemporary priorities and global challenges.

“We want to strengthen cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany. As we know, Indonesia and Germany have had a cultural cooperation agreement since 1988, so perhaps it is time for us to renew that partnership,” Fadli Zon stated.

He noted that the long-standing relationship provides a solid foundation for broader collaboration in creative industries and heritage initiatives.

The meeting also addressed efforts to enhance the role of Rumah Budaya Indonesia in Berlin as a platform for cultural diplomacy. According to him, the cultural center can serve as a bridge to deepen people-to-people engagement and broaden German public access to Indonesian arts and traditions.

“We want to strengthen people-to-people relations through the presence of Rumah Budaya Indonesia in Germany. Currently, we have Rumah Budaya Indonesia at the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin,” he stated. The initiative is seen as part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to expand its cultural footprint in Europe.

Repatriation was another key topic, including planned discussions on 13 Sangiran prehistoric human fossils currently housed at the Senckenberg Museum in Germany. The two sides also explored potential co-production of a film about Georg Eberhard Rumphius, a German naturalist who lived in Ambon in the 17th century.