A clear statement by the Group of Eight industrialised nations on oil prices would be a "definite" help, a German government source said on Thursday.
Ahead of a G8 meeting in Japan at the start of next week, the source said the heads of government meeting there were not in a position to reverse the recent trend of soaring oil prices.
"But I think even if there is just a strong statement in a G8 document which appeals for all sides to take responsibility, then it's definitely worth something," the source said.
The source expected the G8 to detail closer cooperation with oil producers. The group would also likely seek measures to address imbalances in the supply and demand of oil.
Oil jumped to record highs above $145 a barrel on Thursday as traders rushed to buy ahead of the long holiday weekend to mark US Independence Day.
Earlier on Thursday, a senior Japanese government official in Tokyo said G8 leaders will discuss concerns that a weak US dollar is a contributing factor to high oil prices.
Food and fuel inflation would be high on the G8 agenda at the 7-9 July leaders' summit in Hokkaido, northern Japan, the senior official told reporters in Tokyo.
The German source confirmed inflation would be on the agenda but said the industrialised nations would refrain from making interest rate recommendations to central banks.
Some countries have blamed a weak dollar in part for pushing up prices of oil and other commodities, fuelling global inflation.
Asked if such concerns would be discussed by the G8 leaders and written about in the summit communiqué, the Japanese official said it would be included in talks about financial issues surrounding the high commodity prices.
"They will discuss it but I don't know what will be in the communique," said the foreign ministry official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.
Food and fuel prices are expected to feature in discussions on 8 July, officials say. The summit meeting involves leaders and advisers but not finance ministers or central bankers.
By Gernot Heller and Rodney Joyce, Reuters
