NY.– G7 leaders had many things to discuss — and many things they disagreed on — during the annual meeting in Italy.
Two major wars, in Gaza and Ukraine, a huge credit to Ukraine and then there is the right to abortion.
Officials who are aware of the talks about the latest Group of 7 statement — which is basically a statement from all the leaders that they agree on — say that the issue of reproductive rights was reduced to a war diplomatic, primarily between the United States and Italy, which is hosting the meeting.
Several officials said the debate centered on a request by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy not to include the words “abortion” or “reproductive rights” in the statement.
The Italian government has denied that it intended to backtrack on a commitment to protect access to safe abortion.
When commenting on Meloni’s position, US officials said President Biden deferred and wanted an explicit reference to reproductive rights and at least a reaffirmation of support for abortion rights from last year’s statement.
Other G7 members agreed with Biden, according to U.S. and European officials who were aware of the discussion and spoke anonymously.
In the end, the word “abortion” does not appear in the communiqué, although it refers to the last communiqué from last year from the G7 summit that took place in Japan, saying “We reiterate our commitment to the Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué so that have universal and adequate access, affordable and quality health services for women, including the right to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health for all.”
The Hiroshima statement specifically included “addressing access to safe and legal abortion and post-abortion care.”
For Biden, who is Catholic, the issue has been difficult for some time, both personally and politically.
#Tense #debate #arises #abortion
