Text size
Berlin -- The Group of Eight industrialised powers (G8) is no longer the appropriate forum to thrash out the world's problems, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.
Speaking in the German parliament ahead of next week's G8 meeting in the Italian city of L'Aquila, Merkel said: "The summit in L'Aquila will make clear that this G8 format is no longer sufficient."
"We are seeing that the world is growing together and that the problems that we face cannot be solved by the industrialised countries alone," she added.
While the G8 still has a role to play in debating solutions to global problems, decisions should be taken in the Group of 20, which includes fast-growing nations such as China and Brazil, she said.
"I think the G20 should be the format that ... takes decisions on the future," she said.
The first day of the summit will be restricted to leaders from the traditional G8 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
Discussions will then be broadened out to include the largest emerging economies -- India, China, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
African leaders have also been invited, as well as heads from the so-called Major Economies Forum, including Australia and South Korea.
Leaders will discuss the international financial crisis and aim to sign off on measures designed to prevent such a meltdown happening in the future.
Also high on the agenda is climate change ahead of December's crunch environment meeting in Copenhagen, as well as international hotspots such as Iran and Afghanistan.
AFP/Expatica
The Institute of Cultural Diplomacy is hosting an International Congress on ‘Soft Power,’ Cultural Diplomacy and Interdependence
Ask in Expatica’s forum.
Expatica is looking for readers who want to contribute regularly to our websites.
Trying to size up the education system is one of the hardest things facing those embarking on a foreign posting. We set out what you should know about German schools and daycare.
Want to move to Germany but haven’t figured out the details? Check out Expatica’s overview of the German visa and citizenship system.
In part one of our two part series, we cover the driving culture in Berlin, where to park and buy gas and, most importantly, the laws.
Our comprehensive overview of the ins and outs of employment in Germany, including information on how to find work, recruitment agencies, employment contracts and labour law.
General rating: Not rated yet
Rate article:



Add my rating