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Australian PM in Bali for talks Australian PM opens Bali hospital
(about 6 hours later)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard is in Indonesia for talks with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Australian Prime Minister John Howard has opened a memorial hospital on the holiday island of Bali during a day-long visit to Indonesia.
The talks, set to focus on trade and terrorism issues, are taking place on the holiday island of Bali. Eighty-eight Australians were among the 202 people who were killed in nightclub bombings on the island five years ago.
Mr Howard will open a hospital built to commemorate the 202 victims of nightclub bombings five years ago. Eighty-eight Australians were killed. Mr Howard has also held talks with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that focused on security as well as trade.
Earlier this month, Australia issued an advisory against travel to Indonesia, warning of possible terrorist attacks.Earlier this month, Australia issued an advisory against travel to Indonesia, warning of possible terrorist attacks.
Security ties The Australia-Bali Memorial Eye Centre in Bali's provincial capital, Denpasar, is the centrepiece of a funding package announced by Canberra in the wake of the 2002 attacks.
Mr Howard is spending just a few hours in Bali, but there are several issues likely to be raised while he is there, the BBC's Lucy Williamson reports from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Opening the centre, Mr Howard called it "a gift from the Australian people to the future health and well-being of the people of Bali and Indonesia".
Key among them is a new defence and security treaty, known as the Lombok Treaty, signed by both countries last year. He said it was a "practical memorial" to those who died on 12 October 2002 and also a "practical expression" of the Australian people's affection towards the Balinese.
Having taken the agreement back to their respective parliaments, this is a chance for both sides to give some feedback and to talk about their close counter-terrorism co-operation in the wake of several high-profile arrests last month. The Indonesian president described the centre as a monument to the "enduring and growing friendships" between the two countries.
Trade pact study
Before opening the hospital, the two leaders met for talks on a number of issues that included security, trade and climate change.
In particular, they discussed a new defence and security treaty, known as the Lombok Treaty, signed by both countries last year.
Friday's meeting gave them the opportunity to discuss the progress of their counter-terrorism co-operation in the wake of several high-profile arrests last month.
The alleged leader of militant Islamic extremist group Jemaah Islamiah, Zarkasih, and the leader of its military wing, Abu Dujana, were among those detained.The alleged leader of militant Islamic extremist group Jemaah Islamiah, Zarkasih, and the leader of its military wing, Abu Dujana, were among those detained.
Trade issues are also likely to be raised, with Australia keen to talk about plans for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, our correspondent adds. Trade issues were also raised, with both men agreeing to launch a feasibility study into a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
"Our trading relationship is an important one: Indonesia ranks 10th on our list of export destinations," Mr Howard said in a statement on Thursday. "The more that we can develop those investment links, the closer will become the bonds between our two countries," Mr Howard said following the meeting.
"I am keen to explore how it can be further strengthened."
Mr Howard also will open an Australian-funded eye hospital in Bali's provincial capital, Denpasar, during his visit.
It is the centrepiece of a funding package announced by Australia in the wake of the 2002 attacks.