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Australian PM Abbott set for Indonesia talks on migrants Australian PM says "united" with Indonesia on migrants
(about 5 hours later)
New Australian PM Tony Abbott has begun a visit to Indonesia amid tensions between the two nations over his tough asylum policies. Australia's new Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who is in Indonesia on his first official foreign visit, has said the two countries are "united" on the issue of asylum seekers.
Jakarta says Mr Abbott's policy of sending boats with illegal migrants back to Indonesia risks violating the country's sovereignty. After talks in Jakarta with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Mr Abbott said Australia respected Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Mr Abbott, who was elected earlier this month, defends his plans. Mr Yudhoyono said the solution was co-operation between the two nations.
Last week, at least 31 asylum seekers drowned when their vessel sank off the coast of Java. At least 31 asylum seekers drowned off the Java coast last week.
Speaking to reporters after Monday's talks, Mr Abbott said the two leaders agreed on the problem.
"We are determined to end this scourge," he said, "which is not just an affront to our two countries, but which has so often become a humanitarian disaster in the seas between our two countries."
Jakarta has previously said that Mr Abbott's policy of sending boats with illegal migrants back to Indonesia risks violating the country's sovereignty.
'Stand or fall''Stand or fall'
Mr Abbott is due to hold talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday. The Liberal party leader, whose "stop-the-boats" policy helped propel him to power in September's elections, said stopping the thousands of asylum seekers is a "stand-or-fall" issue for him.
He laid a wreath at Jakarta's Kalibata Heroes Cemetery, where many from the Indonesian war of independence are buried, before heading to his meeting with Mr Yudhoyono. Many migrants, especially from Afghanistan and the Middle East, use Indonesia as a stopping point as they try to reach Australian shores and claim asylum.
The two-day visit is his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister. Many head for the remote Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island.
Ahead of the tour, Mr Abbott has sought to play down the tensions, saying he would like to focus on other key issues, including trade. He is bringing a delegation of 20 Australian business leaders to Jakarta. Hundreds of people have died en route in recent years.
He also stressed the symbolic importance of his visit. Mr Abbott has said in the past that he wants "more Jakarta and less Geneva" in Australia's foreign policy, and has stressed the symbolic importance of this trip.
"It is my hope that this visit establishes a convention for all future incoming prime ministers to make Jakarta their first port of call overseas," Mr Abbott said."It is my hope that this visit establishes a convention for all future incoming prime ministers to make Jakarta their first port of call overseas," Mr Abbott said.
Mr Abbott has said in the past that he wants "more Jakarta and less Geneva" in Australia's foreign policy. Ahead of the tour, Mr Abbott sought to play down the tensions, saying he planned to focus on other issues, including trade. He brought a delegation of 20 Australian business leaders to Jakarta.
But last week's boat disaster off Java is expected to keep the asylum issue in sharp focus. Indonesian officials have told the BBC that at least 31 boat people drowned in last week's tragedy, and 28 have been rescued.
Indonesian officials have told the BBC that at least 31 boat people drowned, and 28 have been rescued.
It is not clear how many were on the boat, but some reports say between 80 and 100 people were on board.It is not clear how many were on the boat, but some reports say between 80 and 100 people were on board.
Survivors have since been accusing the Australian navy of failing to respond. Canberra says it has provided all appropriate assistance to the vessel. Survivors have since accused the Australian navy of failing to respond. Canberra says it provided all appropriate assistance to the vessel.
Also last week, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Mr Abbott's policies could put co-operation on asylum seekers at risk.
Ahead of September's elections Mr Abbott campaigned on a "stop the boats" policy, which helped propel him to power.
He says stopping the thousands of asylum seekers is a "stand or fall" issue for him.
The Liberal prime minister has also ordered the military to turn back migrant boats en route to Australia and - where possible - prevent them from embarking.
Hundreds of migrants have died trying to reach Australian shores in recent years; many of them head for Christmas Island, a remote Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.