"We recognize that G8 members pursue different ways to achieve energy security and the goals of climate protection," the section of the statement on nuclear energy says.

"Those of us who have or are considering plans relating to the use and/or development of safe and secure nuclear energy believe that its development will contribute to global energy security, while simultaneously reducing harmful air pollution

and addressing the climate change challenge," it says.

It includes a phrase German officials said was important to Berlin, which has committed to a phase-out of nuclear

energy by the early 2020s: "We are committed to further reduce the risks associated with the safe use of nuclear energy."

Though nuclear energy is making a comeback in several parts of the world and has been hailed as being non-polluting, critics, particularly in Germany, say the problem of storing dangerous nuclear waste can't be easily solved.

Many also point out that nuclear power plants are vulnerable to terrorist attacks and contribute to an increase risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.

"Open energy markets"

The G8 countries including Russia also recognized several key ideas for the functioning of global energy markets, including the principle that they be "open, transparent, efficient and competitive," the leaders' statement said.

"Energy is essential to improving the quality of life and

opportunities in developed and developing nations," the leaders' statement said. "Ensuring sufficient, reliable and environmentally responsible supplies of energy at prices reflecting market fundamentals is a challenge for our countries and for mankind as a whole," it added.

The G8 leaders also expressed their support in principle for the European Energy Charter, a framework of rules that Russia has so far refused to sign despite increasing admonitions to do so from the European Union.

"We support the principles of the Energy Charter and the efforts to participating countries to improve international energy cooperation," the leaders said.

The leaders' statement on energy was accompanied by a detailed action plan focusing on seven main areas including promotion of energy market transparency, stability and predictability in energy markets and making investment easier.

The statement also backed plans suggested by Moscow to create international centers in Russia to produce nuclear fuel for countries with atomic power plants and a US plan to create a multilateral nuclear fuel bank. All of these would be under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA.

"We intend to make additional joint efforts to ensure reliable access to low enriched uranium for power reactor fuel and spent fuel recycling," as part of the group's joint non-proliferation efforts, the text said.

"Humanity is dancing on a volcano"

The summit's statement on climate change said the G8 intends "to meet our shared and multiple objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving the global environment, enhancing energy security and cutting air pollution in conjunction with our vigorous efforts to reduce poverty."

But it also highlights the divide over the 1997 Kyoto protocol on climate change, saying that "those of us committed to making the Kyoto protocol a success underline the importance we attach to it."

US President George W. Bush rejected the draft Kyoto treaty in 2001 on grounds that its binding commitments on reducing carbon dioxide emissions would be too costly for the US economy.

French President Jacques Chirac on Sunday urged G8 members to apply the protocol in order to protect the planet.

"We cannot discuss energy security while standing still on climate change," Chirac told the leaders of Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and Russia at their summit here. "Humanity is dancing on a volcano."

Chirac described the Kyoto Protocol, which took effect in

February last year, as "only a first step."

"I regret that the United States is not taking part. But all the others must stick to their commitments."

Kyoto signatories have committed themselves to limiting their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.