Australian PM to attend Indonesian president's swearing-in

Sydney: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will join other world leaders Monday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Indonesian president Joko Widodo in Jakarta.

Abbott said his attendance reflected the "huge importance" Australia placed on its relationship with its neighbour, Xinhua reported.

"The inauguration is an important occasion for Indonesia and also for Australia because Indonesia is a hugely important neighbour," he said in a statement.

"Almost one million Australians visit Indonesia, including Bali, every year and over 17,000 Indonesian students study here in Australia each year."

Joko's inauguration ends the decade-long leadership of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.