G7 Summit: extracts of the Leaders’ Declaration

On 26-27 May, the G7 leaders (the heads of state or government from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker) met in Ise-Shima, Japan to address major global economic and political challenges.

"Global growth remains moderate and below potential, while risks of weak growth persist. Escalated geo-political conflicts, terrorism and refugee flows complicate the global economic environment. The rise of violent extremism, terrorist attacks and other challenges, pose serious threat to the existing rule based international order, as well as to common values and principles for all humanity. The G7 has a special responsibility to lead international efforts to tackle these challenges," says the G7 Leaders’ Declaration adopted at the summit.

It covers the global economy and trade, foreign policy (including the situation in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Libya), migration and refugee crisis, climate change and energy as well as counter-terrorism, cyber, tax transparency, infrastructure investment, women, health and the post-2015 development agenda.

In regard to the relations with Russia and situation in Ukraine, the Leaders’ Declaration states inter alia:

"We […] welcome Russia’s commitment in the Joint Statement of May 9 2016 to ‘work with the Syrian authorities to minimize aviation operations over areas predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation’. We expect Russia and Iran to urge the regime to comply with renewed cessation and to stop its attacks directed at civilians, and urge all parties to the cessation to abide by the terms of the cessation."
"We stand united in our conviction that the conflict in Ukraine can only be solved by diplomatic means and in full respect for international law, especially the legal obligation to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We reiterate our condemnation of the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia and reaffirm our policy of its non-recognition and sanctions against those involved."
"We expect Russia to live up to its commitments and use its influence over the separatists to meet their commitments in full. We stress the OSCE’s key role in helping to deescalate the crisis, and we call upon all sides, particularly the separatists, to provide the organization’s monitors full and unfettered access throughout the conflict zone.

We recall that the duration of sanctions is clearly linked to Russia’s complete implementation of the Minsk agreements and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Sanctions can be rolled back when Russia meets these commitments. However, we also stand ready to take further restrictive measures in order to increase cost on Russia should its actions so require. We recognize the importance of maintaining dialogue with Russia in order to ensure it abides by the commitments it has made as well as international law and to reach a comprehensive, sustainable and peaceful solution to the crisis."

"In the context of the ongoing crisis between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, we reiterate that energy should not be used as a means of political coercion or as a threat to security."

Full text of the G7 Leaders’ Declaration:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2016/05/26-27/