A meeting between the two leaders started at 3.15 pm Jakarta time.
Earlier, President Yudhoyono, accompanied by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto and State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, had officially received Abbott.
Born on November 4, 1957, Abbott is the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and federal leader of the center-right Liberal Party of Australia. He has represented the seat of Warringah since the 1994 by-election.
"At the meeting, President Yudhoyono and Abbott are expected to discuss several issues concerning Indonesian asylum seekers in Australia," Presidential special aide for international relations Teuku Faizayah said.
Meanwhile, Australian foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop met Marty at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry office.
On his official website, www.tonyabbot.com.au, Abbott said he would discuss the human smuggling problem with Indonesian leaders, as well as focus on business issues such as cattle trade and agricultural cooperation.
"This is an important visit for me. In some respects, our relationship with Indonesia is most important because of Indonesia`s proximity, size and potential. Indonesia is the world`s fourth largest country, the third largest democracy and the largest Muslim nation," he added. (F013/BSR/INE/YH)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
