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Asian states to sign energy deals Asian states sign key energy deal
(about 4 hours later)
Asian states are preparing to sign agreements on energy security and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Leaders at an East Asian summit have signed an agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote bio-fuels.
The deal will be signed by 10 members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations plus China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. The deal was signed by 10 South East Asian nations, China, Japan, S Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
There are also plans to construct a regional electricity grid and a natural gas pipeline across south-east Asia. The agreement rounds up a week of talks in the Philippine resort of Cebu, looking at issues as diverse as natural disasters, disease and terrorism.
Talks in the Philippines are also focusing on dealing with natural disasters, disease and terrorism. The week has also been marked by an improvement in relations between regional rivals China and Japan.
"The fact that the leaders of 16 great nations are hereis a testament to the desire of leaders and their peoplefor greater collaboration between the nations," said Philippine President Gloria Arroyo as meeting opened. The Cebu Declaration on East Asian Energy Security, signed after a three-hour meeting on Monday, lists a series of targets aimed at providing "reliable, adequate and affordable" energy supplies to a huge region from Australia to India.
"I hope we make progress on the issues of energyindependence, human rights, economic integration and social justice." The deal will not cap greenhouse emissions, but will call for extra investment in eco-friendly fuels.
The energy deal, agreed in draft form last week, will not cap greenhouse emissions, but will call for extra investment in eco-friendly fuels. There are also plans to construct a regional electricity grid and a natural gas pipeline across South East Asia.
Correspondents say the Asian nations are attempting to lessen their dependence on oil from the Middle East. Correspondents say the 16 nations that signed the agreement are attempting to lessen their dependence on oil from the Middle East.
Greenhouse gas emissions from Asian nations are forecast to grow rapidly in the coming years, with one estimate saying they could treble by 2025.Greenhouse gas emissions from Asian nations are forecast to grow rapidly in the coming years, with one estimate saying they could treble by 2025.
Improved tiesImproved ties
The pan-Asian deal comes at the end of a regional south-east Asian summit in Cebu, in the Philippines. The pan-Asian deal comes at the end of a regional South East Asian summit also held in Cebu.
The summit has been marked by an improvement in relations between regional rivals China and Japan. The summit was marked by an improvement in relations between regional rivals China and Japan, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is now scheduled to travel to Japan in April.
China announced that Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will travel to Japan in April.
Also at the summit Japan, China and South Korea held their first three-way meeting in two years.Also at the summit Japan, China and South Korea held their first three-way meeting in two years.
Leaders of the three countries presented a united front to North Korea, urging Pyongyang to end its nuclear programme and seek a stronger trading relationship with its neighbours. Leaders of the three countries presented a united front against North Korea, urging Pyongyang to end its nuclear programme and seek a stronger trading relationship with its neighbours.