In a joint statement issued at an Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) here, they expressed "concern over the impacts of continued high oil prices on global economic growth".

The statement said demand would only increase in fast-growing Asia and the ministers called for "enhancing energy security through energy conservation, improvement of energy efficiency and wider use of alternative energy sources, including nuclear power in those countries having chosen nuclear power as an option".

A Japanese official said there was unanimous concern about high oil prices during the two-day meeting held in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto.

"Participants noted that oil prices are surging and there have been fights over energy and other national resources," the official said.

"All participants making remarks today agreed on the importance of energy security," he said. "Member countries said it is necessary for ASEM to cooperate in energy and they have to strengthen cooperation."

In overnight trade, world oil prices inched higher but came off peaks of 52 dollars a barrel following sharp increases in US crude inventories that suggested an easing of supply worries.