Brussels, 27/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - In a joint statement published at the end of the G7 summit in Ise-Shima on Friday 27 May, the G7 countries - France, Germany, Italy, the UK, the USA, Japan and Canada - stated that the lifting of sanctions against Russia as part of the Ukrainian conflict was linked to the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
“The duration of sanctions is clearly linked to Russia's complete implementation of the Minsk agreements and respect for Ukraine's sovereignty”, the G7 leaders state. And although these sanction can be cancelled when Russia responds to these commitments, the leaders warn that they “also stand ready to take further restrictive measures in order to increase cost on Russia should its actions so require”.
Concerned at the continuing violence along the line of contact, the G7 leaders urge all sides to take concrete steps “that will lead to the complete ceasefire required under the Minsk agreements”. “We also urge all sides to fulfil their commitments without delay with a view to holding local elections in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as soon as possible in accordance with the Minsk agreements”, they add (see EUROPE 11558). The G7 also recognise “the importance of maintaining dialogue with Russia in order to ensure it abides by the commitments it has made”.
In their long joint statement, the G7 also speak about the situation in Africa, in the Middle East (including in Syria - see other article) and in North Korea (see other article).
Libya. On Libya, the G7 leaders announce their full support for the intention of the Libyan government of national accord (GNA) to submit appropriate arms embargo requests to the UN Libya Sanctions Committee to procure necessary lethal arms and material to counter UN-designated terrorist groups, including ISIL. The leaders also reaffirm their commitment to upholding the arms embargo, in accordance with applicable UN Security Council resolutions (see EUROPE 11552). The G7 stand ready to offer support to the GNA to help restore peace, security and prosperity, and “address the dire humanitarian suffering”.
Iraq. The G7 reiterate their support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. They commend the efforts of the Iraqi government to enhance national reconciliation, and call on the international community to continue supporting the government, including by extending humanitarian assistance and supporting stabilisation efforts in areas liberated from ISIL. “We also commit to provide, and expedite as appropriate, support for Iraq's efforts to address its fiscal challenge and strengthen its economy through reforms”, the G7 leaders add. In this context, the G7 are mobilising over €3.2 billion in bilateral assistance and other financial support to complement support from the international financial institutions.
Yemen. The G7 also urge all parties in Yemen “to work towards an inclusive, peaceful solution” that will end the conflict, “including a resumption of the political transition (…) and the rebuilding of the Yemeni economy”, and to take immediate steps to enable rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas of the country. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)