Sunday, 20. May 2012
G8 summit
Consolidation and economic growth
Global economic development was the focus of the G8 summit in Camp David. Consolidation and economic growth are two sides of the same coin, stressed Chancellor Angela Merkel. Other important points on the agenda included the situation in Syria and Iran.
Family photo of the G8 heads of state and government
Photo: Bundesregierung/Bergmann
In the wake of the major international financial and economic crisis there are signs that the global economy is recovering. All summit participants agreed on this point, reported the Chancellor. There are still a number of difficulties though. "We need both to consolidate our budgets and to make every effort to foster growth," Angela Merkel summed up. "Sound finances and growth go hand in hand."
Generating growth
The crucial question is how to generate growth, the Chancellor underscored. Three ingredients are vital: budget consolidation, structural reforms and investment in the future. We must invest in research, in viable infrastructure for the future, and in the completion of the European single market, she explained – not in conventional economic recovery programmes.
Participants agreed that Greece should remain in the euro zone, but equally that the Greeks must honour all commitments made, reported the Chancellor.
A call for an end to violence in Syria
In the Camp David Declaration, the G8 called for an end to violence and for a process of political transition in Syria. The six-point plan of Kofi Annan must be implemented, said Angela Merkel. Violence must be ended and human life protected in Syria.
Iran was also urged to provide information on its nuclear programme. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that there was a large measure of agreement on continuing with a combination of offering Iran negotiations while leaving in place tough sanctions.
Civil reconstruction in Afghanistan
The heads of state and government also provided assurances that they would forge ahead with civil reconstruction in Afghanistan. The G8 states together provide about 80 percent of all civilian assistance for Afghanistan.
Further support for democratisation
Another important issue at the G8 summit was efforts to further support the transition process in North African and Middle Eastern states. They renewed their commitment to the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition launched at last year’s G8 summit. The partnership has since been expanded to embrace Libya and to include several new instruments.
Another important component is the extension of the mandate of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It is to be given the opportunity to provide support during the transition process in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean states.
The Deauville Partnership is a G8 initiative to support the process of democratisation and economic development in North African and Arab states. It was launched at the end of May 2011. The aim is to support change, and in particular democratisation processes and economic development in North African and Arab states. Alongside economic development one main thrust is to combat youth unemployment.
A focus on Africa
Partnership with Africa is a tradition for the G8. This year they concentrated on food security. The new alliance with six sub-Saharan states initiated by the USA was launched by an agreement. "We must not falter in our efforts, and we shall not do so," declared the Chancellor with a view to the African continent.
Better conditions are to be put in place for help towards self-help through private investment. Small farmers, for instance, are to be given access to markets and to technology that will help them improve cropping and food storage techniques. Angela Merkel spoke of the shared goal of the G8 states of helping 50 million Africans escape poverty over the next ten years.
German government would like to see binding climate agreement
At Camp David participants also discussed stepping up international efforts in the field of climate change mitigation. A new and binding UN climate agreement remains the clear objective of the German government. The international community will have to do significantly more if global warming is to be kept down to a rise of two degrees Celsius over the pre-industrial period.
The G8 states affirmed their committment to clean, safe, affordable energy policy, although the energy mix in the different G8 states currently varies enormously. In this context the summit discussed the impact of stepping up the use of renewables on the infrastructure of the states concerned, as well as the issue of energy efficiency.
The Group of Eight (G8) is an informal forum of heads of state and government of eight industrialised countries. It is not an international organisation. It has neither its own administrative structures nor any permanent representations of member states. Because of these informal structures, the G8 presidency is always extremely important. The country holding the presidency is responsible for organising the summit meeting and setting the agenda. This year the USA hold the G8 presidency. The member states of the G8 are Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, the United States of America, Canada (since 1976) and Russia (since 1998). The European Union is also represented at all meetings. In 2013 the G8 presidency will pass to the United Kingdom.
