The work of the G7 opens on Thursday 13 June in Puglia, in Borgo Egnazia, under the Italian presidency of Giorgia Meloni. But diplomacy is already at work and a draft of the summit’s conclusions is circulating. There are many topics, from the right to abortion to the wars in Ukraine (THE LIVE UPDATES) and in the Middle East (THE LIVE UPDATES). “My message is clear: this is a critical moment, we are facing profound global challenges on multiple fronts. The G7 has a vital role to play in peace. For peace in the Middle East. And we must also continue to work for peace in Ukraine, a just peace, based on the UN Charter and international law,” said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. “Across the world, we must never stop looking for solutions that affirm international law, including international humanitarian law,” he added.
Mystery on the reference to the right to abortion
According to qualified European sources, in the latest draft of the G7 conclusions the point in which the world’s leaders underlined the importance of guaranteeing “effective and safe access to abortion” was removed. The point on the right to abortion had been included during the G7 meeting in Hiroshima and, the same sources explained, France and Canada had asked to strengthen the reference in view of the summit in Puglia. Later, sources from the Presidency of the G7 Italy replied: “No state has asked to eliminate the reference to issues relating to abortion from the draft conclusions of the G7 summit, as reported by some press organs in a phase in which the dynamics negotiations are still ongoing. Everything that will be included in the final document will be a final point resulting from negotiations between the G7 members.”
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The war in Ukraine
Another topic covered in the draft conclusions is the Russian war in Ukraine. According to Bloomberg, G7 leaders will warn Russia against “irresponsible” nuclear threats. Furthermore, according to the same source, the G7 aims to “increase production and deliveries” of weapons “to aid Ukraine’s self-defense.” The final draft of the summit would also include an appeal from the leaders to China to stop allowing and supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Seven, again according to Bloomberg, accuse Beijing of supplying Russia with technologies and components – some found in weapons, others needed to build them – helping Moscow’s efforts to circumvent one wave after another of G7 trade restrictions on many of these products.
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The situation in the Middle East
There is no shortage of references to the Middle East. According to the draft statement reported by Bloomberg, the leaders will ask Hamas to accept the ceasefire agreement outlined by US President Joe Biden. In the document, allies will also urge Israel to de-escalate a “large-scale military offensive” in Rafah, and language may appear urging such measures to be in line with interim guidance ordered by the International Court of Justice. “We urge countries that have influence over Hamas” to help ensure that it accepts a ceasefire, the G7 draft statement said.
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The US position
Jake Sullivan, White House national security advisor, also spoke about the two wars. “All G7 leaders are focused on one goal: the ceasefire and the release of the hostages. The president will consult with G7 leaders “on the Middle East, he said. He then added that Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sign a security agreement during the summit.
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