“By supporting the independence of Ukraine, we defend general principles of coexistence among nationson which, from the Second World War onwards, the freedom, security and prosperity of our peoples as well as the development and growing role of those who were then, in spite of themselves, spectators of history are based”. This was stated by the President of the Republic. , Sergio Mattarella, in the toast at the dinner, offered to the Heads of State and Government and the personalities participating in the G7 Summit. “On 24 February 2022 the Russian Federation took on the historic responsibility of bringing the war back to Europe in a dangerous attempt at neo-imperial revenge which contradicts all the progress made on the continent since the Helsinki Conference of 1975. A turning point that cannot be pretended to be ignored or underestimated as the history of the 20th century teaches us.”
The role of the G7
It is useful to ask ourselves what the role of the G7 is in the current geopolitical context and I would like to propose three considerations. “A first answer lies in the observation that the G7 is a group of countries united not only by a high level of development and income, but also and above all by values – said Mattarella during the toast -. Values that have significantly promoted the dignity of individuals and peoples, on the basis of the UN Charters and Declarations. Values, objectives, rules, which must be preserved and developed in the new condition of international life”.
“The Summit – the Head of State underlined – has thus been transformed from a forum for economic coordination into a platform for significant discussion on the major issues of the present. A discussion made possible precisely by being based first and foremost on shared values. The states represented at this table recognize themselves in the principles of the rule of law, democracy, respect for individual rights and international cooperation. These are far from obvious considerations if one considers the worrying increase in authoritarian impulses in many parts of the world. with the resulting consequences: compression of the inviolable sphere of the person at the internal level and aggressive conduct in the international sphere”.
“The second element that characterizes the G7 is constituted by the convinced adherence to a system of rules, which sees its highest manifestation in the United Nations Charter. The care of this system of rules – the first of which consists in the prohibition of threats and use of force in relations between states – is an aspect that is sadly challenged today”.
“The third dimension of the G7 that I would like to recall is that of an open platform. The G7 format is able to adapt to changes in the international context – and this edition confirms this – in the awareness that they cannot be addressed in a limited circuit. New themes – from the sustainable development of the African continent, to migratory flows, to the revolution induced by artificial intelligence – find the right space in the Borgo Egnazia Summit and call for collaboration with other relevant players on the global stage”. This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in the toast on the occasion of the lunch offered to the Heads of State and Government and the personalities participating in the G7 Summit.
“The large free economies gathered in the G7 – continued the Head of State – certainly continue to exercise a significant force of attraction and influence, but, naturally, in a multipolar world, this experience is confronted with attempts to give life to schemes alternative if not opposed”.
“The ability to build partnerships with that part of the world which, in physiological differences, is available for dialogue on our options, is the natural horizon to look towards. The indications coming from the Heads of State and Government gathered here will, in this regard, be The G7 countries – adds Mattarella – share a heightened responsibility in addressing the problems of the present; however, they are aware that they cannot do it alone”.
Israel-Hamas and the negotiations
“The barbaric attack by Hamas, with the killing of defenseless Israeli citizens and the inhumane seizure of hostages, has reopened a wound that continues to be fueled by the macabre count of thousands of Palestinian civilian victims, women and children, who lost their lives in over eight months of conflict” said the Head of State. “The ongoing negotiations to reach a ceasefire must represent a stage in undertaking a concrete political path towards a lasting peace, which can only be based on the two-state solution”.
“We need – urged the Head of State – the will to pursue it on the part of all the actors involved, so as not to abandon the dialogue halfway as has already happened on too many occasions – with the inevitable resumption, over time, of the conflict, with violence and ever-increasing victims.”
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