Asian states call for stable oil prices to sustain recovery

Economic ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with China, Japan and South Korea on Saturday voiced concerns over steep hikes in crude oil prices, saying they threaten global economic recovery. In a joint statement made following their ASEAN-Plus-Three gathering, they called for an "appropriate increase in (oil) supplies" as well as "long-term price stability.",Kyodo News