CEBU (Philippines) Jan 15: Asian leaders agreed on Monday to push for freer trade and more secure energy supplies across the region, wrapping up a week of high-level diplomacy on everything from terrorism to North Korea. Australia and China were among 16 nations that signed an energy security pact after a half-day meeting that followed the annual Asean summit talks, which saw a breakthrough in Japan's tense relations with its neighbours.

“We as a region have started to muster our vast human and material resources to broaden trade, tourism, energy, security and political integration at a pace and scale never seen before,” Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said.

The energy accord commits countries to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, opening up energy markets and trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Japan offered $2 billion in aid to help nations with energy conservation.

The 16 leaders also found common ground in an especially strong statement on North Korea, saying the defiant regime needed to address international concern about food shortages and its past abductions of Japanese and other nationals.

—AFP