ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Finance ministers from the world's wealthiest countries expressed optimism about global economic growth on Saturday but warned high energy prices and global imbalances could pose risks.

    "Global growth remains strong and is gradually becoming more broadly based. However, downside risks from high and volatile energy prices and widening global imbalances remain," the ministers from the Group of Eight (G8) economic powers said in a statement after debating global growth, energy security and other issues here.

    The ministers reiterated their commitment to address global imbalances and said they are "committed to fighting protectionism and to promoting liberalization of trade in agriculture, industrial goods and services, as well as of investment."

    The ministers also had discussions with top finance officials from China, India, Brazil, Australia, South Korea and Nigeria.

    The two-day meeting in the northern Russian city was seen as adding finishing touches to the preparations for a G8 summit that President Vladimir Putin will host next month.

    U.S. Secretary of the Treasury John Snow, speaking at a press conference after the meeting, said the global economy has enjoyed high growth, historically low inflation and interest rates and been spared of major financial crisis or recessions in the past three years.

    "It is especially significant that we are seeing more rapid levels of growth in the developing economies," Snow said.

    But he also sounded cautious about inflationary risks to growth. "Inflation is picking up a little, but not at an alarming rate," he said. Enditem