Antara 16 Jul 10;
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Australian governments have decided to take action on the oil pollution in the Timor waters of Indonesia after the Montara oil field explosion in August 2009, a minister said here Thursday.
"The fact is that both the Indonesian and Australian governments are in the same position and concern that the oils spill had affected the environment," Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said here Thursday.
Both countries had conducted environmental research on the matter, he said in a joint press conference after meeting his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith at his office here.
"In this morning`s discussions we decided to send the environmental threat issue to the related company for their responsibility of the incident," Marty said,
Marty claimed that both governments are in the same position to ensure the Australian company, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Australasia, to be held responsible.
A special meeting led by the Indonesian Transportation Minister as the national team leader of this case to establish an advocating team in contacting the issue to the oil company in question.
"All we have to do is to develop a synergy with the Australian government in strengthening our efforts," Marty said.
On the occasion, Australian Foreign and Trade Minister Stephen Smith said that Australian Minister of Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson made an inquiry of the causes and assessment with the Indonesian government.(*)
