Release: US Embassy: U.S.-Indonesia Energy Policy Dialogue Working Group Meeting

(August 31, 2005)Delegations from the U.S. and Indonesia met on August 29th in Jakarta to conduct the first working group meetings under the U.S.-Indonesia Energy Policy Dialogue.

Director General of Oil and Gas, Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, Iin Arifin Takhyan officially opened the meeting. Dr Erie Soedarmo, Director for Oil and Gas Processing and Commerce of the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources chaired the Indonesian delegation. James A. Slutz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), led the U.S. delegation.

More than twenty participants from the U.S. and Indonesian private sectors also participated in the talks, including representatives from Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, and the Indonesian Petroleum Association.

Presidents Yudhoyono and Bush announced the resumption of the U.S.-Indonesia Energy Policy Dialogue on May 25, 2005. The "Joint Statement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia" noted "the resumption of bilateral energy consultations...after an eight-year hiatus,and called on participants to report back on progress to the two Presidents before the APEC summit meeting later this year."

The U.S. Co-Chair for the dialogue, DOE Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs Karen Harbert, said "I am encouraged by the strong start we have made in carrying out President Bush and Yudhoyono's pledge to strengthen cooperation between our two countries in the field of energy. We look forward to working closely with our Indonesian colleagues on concrete measures to enhance our mutual energy security and promote increased trade and investment." Noting Indonesia's abundant oil and gas resources, Director General Iin Airifin Takhyan stated, "We have had very fruitful and productive discussions that will be of benefit to both our countries."

The dialogue consists of bilateral working groups on oil and gas, electricity, and coal. During the meetings, the two delegations discussed issues of mutual interest including increasing Indonesia's electricity generating capacity, oil and gas production, and possible technical cooperation on energy technologies including those related to coal. (end of release)