FACTBOX: Key issues for G8 summit in Germany

Wed Jun 6, 2007 11:44am EDT
 
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(Reuters) - Leaders from the world's major industrialized nations meet in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm on Wednesday for a Group of Eight (G8) summit.

Below are some of the key issues surrounding the meeting, which is being hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel:

CLIMATE CHANGE

Germany has been pressing G8 partners for months to commit to fixed, quantifiable targets for reducing the greenhouse gases blamed for swelling sea levels and climate swings, but that drive is likely to fail because of strong resistance from the United States.

The summit could still make headway on global warming if leaders agree to work together to forge a multilateral accord on curbing emissions beyond 2012, when the first period of the Kyoto Protocol expires.

AFRICA

Germany wants leaders to reaffirm pledges made at the Gleneagles summit in 2005 to double development aid by 2010 amid claims from aid organizations that some G8 nations are lagging far behind on their commitments. It was unclear whether all G8 countries would agree to commit more funds to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.

As part of an outreach program, leaders from Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa will attend, as will African Union president Ghana.

TRADE

German officials have said they want the summit to send a "strong signal" about the G8's desire to see the stalled Doha round of world trade talks to a successful conclusion.

FOREIGN POLICY

IRAN - G8 leaders are likely to call on Iran to fulfill its U.N. Security Council obligations, in particular to halt all activities connected to uranium enrichment.

They should agree to support "further appropriate measures" -- code for sanctions -- if Iran continues to ignore U.N. Security Council demands on its nuclear work. Iran says it is pursuing the work for peaceful purposes but the West suspects it of trying to create nuclear weapons.

SUDAN - G8 leaders are expected to express a commitment to humanitarian aid in Darfur and urge the Sudanese government to accept an African Union-United Nations force there.

KOSOVO - G8 leaders are likely to acknowledge differences on how to proceed with the Serbian province of Kosovo. Russia opposes efforts by the United States and Europe to offer Kosovo effective independence.

MIDDLE EAST - G8 leaders are likely to voice commitment to a negotiated, comprehensive, long-term settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. They look set to call on Palestinian authorities to end "terrorist violence" and rocket attacks on Israeli territory and urge restraint in Israel's responses.  Continued...

 

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