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CEBU : Asian nations have urged North Korea to scrap its nuclear weapons programme, and to address concerns over foreigners kidnapped by its regime.
In a statement issued at the end of the 16-nation East Asia summit, leaders also pledged to seek ways to reduce oil dependency.
Two days after the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) completed its annual summit in Cebu, the grouping, together with its dialogue partners Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, China and South Korea, vowed to strengthen political solidarity, fight terrorism and create a free trade zone by 2015.
"We have been able to work on very concrete, specific projects of cooperation. What has made it successful is that it was not just a talk shop because we discussed concrete areas of cooperation," said Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
A key outcome of Monday's summit was the signing of an energy security pact that covers some of the world's most polluted countries.
The pact seeks to reduce the region's dependence on costly crude oil through the use of biofuels, but offers no concrete targets.
The deal was boosted by Japan's pledge of a US$2 billion aid package to help Asian countries develop energy-saving technology.
The leaders also urged North Korea to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for aid and security guarantees. They unanimously backed UN sanctions on luxury goods which were imposed on North Korea after its nuclear and missile tests last year.
"The sanctions refer to luxury goods and goods that may help North Korea to arm. But it doesn't cover basic necessities. So therefore, there should really be no conflict between wanting to make sure that the people do not suffer from the lack of basic necessities, and urging North Korea to denuclearise," said President Arroyo.
After a one month postponement due to bad weather and threats of terror attacks, President Arroyo proudly declared that the twin summits will boost the region's goals toward energy security, political integration, peace & stability, as well as increased trade. - CNA /ls
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