SBY Congratulates Tony Abbott

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono congratulated Tony Abbott on winning the elections and being appointed the new prime minister of Australia.

"Prime Minister Abbott hopes the two countries will continue to maintain good ties. He underlined that Australia is Indonesia's trusted partner," said presidential special aide for international affairs Teuku Faizasyah on Tuesday.

Faizasyah, who was with the president while the latter spoke to Prime Minister Abbott over the phone, said Tony Abbott has promised to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Bali in October.

During the conversation, the two leaders discussed the possibility of a meeting before the APEC summit to look into issues concerning both the countries and regional development.    
    
Faizasyah said although there has been a change of leadership in Australia, there would be no change in the relations between the two countries, which have been built on the foundation of cooperation framework jointly agreed upon by the two countries.

Leader of the Liberal-National Coalition Tony Abbot won the federal election and is expected to hold the biggest seat in the parliament since 1996.

Tony Abbott's camp defeated Kevin Rudd's camp in the general election last week. (*/DWA)