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G-8 Ministers Warn High Energy Prices Threaten Global Economy
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=128E644:3919ACA Ministers pledge
to fight protectionism, promote free trade



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Russia's Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, left, greets Britain's
Treasury Chief Gordon Brown as U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow,
center, looks, June 10, 2006

The Group of Eight finance ministers says the world's economy is
growing, but is threatened by "volatile" energy prices and global
imbalances.

In a statement released from their meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia,
the ministers pledged to fight protectionism and promote free trade.
They called for "urgent progress" to conclude the Doha Round of global
trade talks.

The ministers from the world's seven industrialized nations plus
Russia renewed calls for increased cooperation between energy
producing and importing nations, as well as greater market
transparency.

The also urged wealthy nations to take steps to help poor and
developing nations increase access to energy supplies.

The ministers called on governments to manage their finances in a
"responsible and effective" manner to achieve economic stability and
growth.

 




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