Brussels, 31/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - European Commission sources directly involved in meeting preparations have said that three themes will dominate the summit for G8 leaders (USA, Russia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union) next week (6-8 June) in Heiligendamm): climate change, development aid (particularly for Africa) and international trade (Doha Round). The EU will be represented by Commission president José Manuel Barroso and Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor currently presiding the EU and the G8. The second day of the summit will mainly focus on meetings with leaders of the five main emerging countries (China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico) as well as several African countries invited to discuss development questions: Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. The presidents and leaders of the UN, the African Union, the IMF and the WTO will also be present on the second day.
Climate change. Discussions will be “difficult” (see other article below) and it would be “unrealistic” to expect the US to make a commitment at Heiligendamm to binding objectives. The Commission acknowledged that “the conditions were not in place” for such an advance, even if the Americans had already “made much headway”. The objective at this stage is therefore bringing G8 partners, “as close as possible to the goal and objectives approved by the EU in March”.
Development/Africa. Leaders are expected to “confirm” their commitments and promises made at the Summits of Gleneagles (2005) and Saint Petersburg (2006) and “reiterate their very strong financial and political support for development in Africa”), explained Commission sources. Issues also include, good governance, corruption, human rights, investment and a stepping up in the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria (see other article p13).
Trade. The Commission said that there is no question of negotiating Doha Round dossiers but is, hoping that the Summit may give a “political boost” to negotiations in Geneva. (hb)