Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and US president Barack Obama have focused on counter-terror and security during their first official bilateral talks.

The pair met as leaders from more than 20 countries gathered in Manila for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Mr Turnbull told media security challenges in the Middle East remained a priority for discussions with president Obama.

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“We will continue shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States and our allies in the fight against this type of extremist violence – this type of terrorism,” he said.

“We have a common purpose and a common strategy.”

Describing himself and President Obama as “leaders of two countries committed to freedom,” Mr Turnbull said they shared a “productive, constructive discussion” in the wake of the Paris attacks.

“It was a sobering reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to us,” he said.

President Obama also emphasised the Muslim community should be brought in to security discussions, saying both Australia and the US needed to “reach out to our own people”.

Mr Turnbull had a brief face-to-face meeting with Mr Obama at the G20 talks earlier this week, but Tuesday’s talks were the first official meeting between the two leaders.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said unfolding events over the past week had ensured counter-terrorism would be at the top of the agenda.

“I expect that the attacks in Paris, the European response, the international effort underway to end the conflict in Syria and Iraq and to deprive Daesh [Islamic State] of an operating base from which to launch attacks will be a pivotal part of the discussions,” she said.

The Asia-Pacific is the most dynamic region in the world – talking to President Barack Obama at #APEC2015 pic.twitter.com/n21VTwhABs

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) November 17, 2015

Their comments followed an opinion piece written by former prime minister Tony Abbott, who argued for an increase in Australia’s military commitment.

Writing in The Australian newspaper, Mr Abbott warned an “understandable reluctance to accept military casualties abroad could easily lead to more civilian casualties at home”.

Similar sentiment was echoed in another News Corp opinion piece from government backbencher Michael Sukkar, but Ms Bishop said any increased effort would have to be at the consent of the Iraqi government and within international law.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also showed scepticism in response to the calls, saying “I don’t think it is at all a probability or even a possibility that we will be sending our troops into Syria”.

During Mr Turnbull and Mr Obama’s first official meeting, the pair also discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the developments in the South China Sea.

The US leader said they had an “excellent” discussion around the importance of maintaining freedom in navigation, in light of China’s claims over ownership of reefs and islands in the South China Sea.

Mr Turnbull also stated both Australia and the US were “committed to the rule of law” ensuring that the big changes in the Asia Pacific region happened peacefully.

The pair could meet again soon, after Mr Turnbull accepted an invitation to visit Washington.

– ABC