Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Wednesday congratulated Indonesian president-elect Joko Widodo on his winning of the Indonesian presidential election, saying the Australian government is looking forward to working closely with him.

Joko Widodo's victory over presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto was confirmed Tuesday after a two-week count in which he secured just over 53 percent of the vote.

In a statement, Abbott said the election was a significant milestone.

"Indonesia is to be congratulated on its remarkable transition to democracy and on the conduct of the election," he said.

"The relationship with Indonesia is extraordinarily important to us. We share a long history of cooperation on a wide range of common interests and challenges. We enjoy a highly productive and broad-based partnership that encompasses business, education, defense, security and people-to-people links."

Abbott said it was important to acknowledge outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's vast contribution to his country and to our world during his two terms and 10 years as president.

"President Yudhoyono has provided Indonesia with wise leadership and political stability, consolidating democratization and economic growth. He remains a great friend of Australia," Abbott said.