The relationship between the G7 international community and one or the other country is considered tense. Annalena Baerbock’s first G7 appearance shows where the journey is headed.
Liverpool – As soon as Annalena Baerbock slips into her new role as Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, one foreign appointment chases the next. Shortly after the Green politician paid a visit to the Polish government, the meeting of the major economic nations G7 in Great Britain went on Saturday (December 11th).
According to the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, the G7 countries agreed on a common line in dealing with Russia, China and Iran. There is a clear common stance “that crossing this limit would have enormous political and economic consequences”. The G7 acts as a group “that doesn’t work against someone, but stands up for something,” emphasized Baerbock.
Baerbock meets G7 colleagues in Liverpool: It’s about “partners, competitors and system rivals”
Diplomatic skills are required for the new German Foreign Minister Baerbock: Russia (for example Nord Stream 2) and China (German auto industry) in particular are trading partners deeply involved in the German economy, even though the relationship is often politically tense. Dealing with Russia is one of the central topics of the meeting, which will last until Sunday, also against the background of the Ukraine crisis.
There was unanimous agreement within the G7 with regard to China that the country “is a partner in all the global issues that concern us around the world, but also competitors and system rivals”. The G7 wanted to achieve cooperation with China under fair conditions and with respect for human rights. Apart from that, there should be greater independence from the economic giant.
G7 meeting in Liverpool: It is also about nuclear energy – Germany takes the chair
In view of the current faltering nuclear negotiations with Iran, Baerbock let it be known that the Iranians’ offer meant falling behind in the negotiations by six months. According to her, this would “heavily burden” the talks with the Persian country because the G7’s trust had been massively gambled away. Nonetheless, Baerbock states that a diplomatic solution is being worked on at full speed. Accordingly, it is now Iran’s turn – and must return to the negotiating status from six months ago.
Great Britain’s foreign minister and host Elizabeth Truss said on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in her home country: “We have to defend ourselves against the growing threat from hostile actors.” At the turn of the year, Germany will take over the G7 chairmanship until the end of 2022. In addition to France and the USA, the alliance also includes Italy, Japan and Canada.
The distribution of the corona vaccines was also on the agenda in the British city. That is why the development ministers of the participating countries were also present. (PF with dpa material)
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