With high demand and worries about supply driving oil near $US80 ($A106.28) a barrel, the Group of Eight (G8) offered cautious support for nuclear energy as an alternative, according to the Associated Press.
While the leaders of the world's most industrialised nations endorsed the use of nuclear power, they hinted at a disagreement with Germany, which has opposed renewed interest in it.
In an otherwise upbeat joint statement - which delegates privately suggested was out of synch with reality - the leaders acknowledged differences over the question of nuclear power.
"We recognise that G8 members pursue different ways to achieve energy security and climate protection goals ... Those of us who have or are considering plans for the use and/or development of safe and secure nuclear energy believe that its development will contribute to global energy security," the statement said.
Defending the statement, Russian Energy and Industry Minster Viktor Khristenko said that the inclusion of a section on nuclear power was "a significant event," giving countries the opportunity to work actively toward developing nuclear energy in the future, "which we plan to do," he said.
Energy security was a focal theme of this year's G8 summit, after hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico drove global oil prices to new highs last year and Europe was caught short of gas after a price fight between Russia and Ukraine this winter disrupted supplies.
Since then, Iran's standoff with the West over its nuclear program and renewed violence in the Middle East have sent oil prices soaring even higher.
In their statement, the G8 leaders said they were committed to transparency, competition and increased investment in the energy sector.
While the leaders of the world's most industrialised nations endorsed the use of nuclear power, they hinted at a disagreement with Germany, which has opposed renewed interest in it.
In an otherwise upbeat joint statement - which delegates privately suggested was out of synch with reality - the leaders acknowledged differences over the question of nuclear power.
"We recognise that G8 members pursue different ways to achieve energy security and climate protection goals ... Those of us who have or are considering plans for the use and/or development of safe and secure nuclear energy believe that its development will contribute to global energy security," the statement said.
Defending the statement, Russian Energy and Industry Minster Viktor Khristenko said that the inclusion of a section on nuclear power was "a significant event," giving countries the opportunity to work actively toward developing nuclear energy in the future, "which we plan to do," he said.
Energy security was a focal theme of this year's G8 summit, after hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico drove global oil prices to new highs last year and Europe was caught short of gas after a price fight between Russia and Ukraine this winter disrupted supplies.
Since then, Iran's standoff with the West over its nuclear program and renewed violence in the Middle East have sent oil prices soaring even higher.
In their statement, the G8 leaders said they were committed to transparency, competition and increased investment in the energy sector.
