Effectiveness of the G7 Summit
The annual G7 summit was recently (June7-8) held in Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany. Russia was a member of the powerful club from 1998, which was then known as G8. Interestingly, the 40th summit was scheduled to be held in Sochi, Russia in June 2014. But when Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea in March 2014, Russia was suspended from the club and it reverted to G7. The 40th summit was later held in Brussels.
China, now the second largest economy in the world after the US, was not invited. Because it is not a democracy, as defined by the West.
The leaders sat over a loaded agenda on global economy, foreign and security policy and development issues. Russian support for East Ukraine separatists, Islamic State advances in Iraq, nuclear deal with Iran, climate changes, and corruption issues also dominated the summit. The leaders also discussed the new "sustainable development goals" (SDGs) for the next 15 years, that the United Nations will adopt in September 2015.
The 91-paragraph Final declaration is a stereotype document full of rhetoric of earlier summits. It is replete with clichés such as – "work closely together", "values freedom and democracy", "fostering peace and security", "uphold freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity".
European leaders are deeply suspicious of Russia's intentions. Ever since the confrontation over Ukraine began in late 2013, President Putin has determinedly moved to eliminate Western influence over Ukraine. US-Europe imposed economic sanctions on Russia have not deterred Putin from supporting the secessionists. The war in Eastern Ukraine goes on. The Minsk Agreement between Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine signed last February for a ceasefire has not been effective.
Some of the EU members are wary and want to lift the sanctions as they are adversely affected. President Obama made it clear on keeping the economic pressure on Moscow and asked European leaders to "show a united front". The Declaration warns Russia of further restrictive measures and isolation if Moscow did not stop supporting the secessionists.
There is no mention of Islamic State or Iraq in the Declaration. But G7 leaders were deeply concerned at the continuous victories made by ISIS. US bombings of ISIS position have not stopped it from over running Ramadi. In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, US President Barack Obama admitted that though US did not have a "complete strategy" to defeat ISIS, the Pentagon would escalate the speed and training of Iraqi forces.
On the nuclear deal with Iran, the Declaration welcomed the understanding on key parameters of a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached by P5+1. A comprehensive deal is expected by June 30, 2015.
The leaders affirmed their strong determination to adopt a UN protocol on Climate Change in Paris in December 2015.
Most interestingly, the Declaration on Responsible Supply Chain mentions the Rana Plaza accident in Bangladesh and pledges "to strengthen multi-stakeholder initiatives..... (in) building good practices in textile and ready-made garments sector".
The other off-the-agenda issue was the Greek debt crisis that threatens the Euro. Greece is unable to pay back $378 billion to creditors. There are pressures on the Greek government from IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank for stringent reforms. If Greece is unable to make further reforms it will not get loans from European Central Bank. That may create a situation for Greece to exit the Eurozone – Grexit.
With only 16 months left in office, President Obama tried to advance his legacy on foreign policy. He pushed for pledges from allies on binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by December 2015. Obama also wants strong support for free trade to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). There is some opposition to TPP both at home and in Europe. The nuclear deal with Iran is another Obama priority. Despite strong opposition from Israel and some European countries Obama wants to go ahead with the deal.
Obama also tried to mend US relations with Chancellor Angela Merkel. A diplomatic row erupted in 2013 between the two allies, when allegations surfaced that Angela Merkel was under NSA surveillance. Relations were strained when Merkel said that the US spying on Germany was not acceptable.
If one looks at past G7 summit declarations, it becomes evident that this powerful club has done little to fix the global economic system or settle conflicts around the world or done something to stop carbon emissions. It is clear that there are differences in approach of these leaders towards different global issues. Though they smilingly stand together for photos at summits, deep inside, each is keen to push his/her agenda.
Clearly ideological differences have made this club irrelevant to a large extent. In order to solve global economic, political and carbon emission problems, the best forum should have been the United Nations. Instead of making the UN stronger, G7 has made it ineffective. Indeed, G7 has turned out to be a club – where leaders talk tall, as they consider their meets, a good pastime.
The writer is former Ambassador and Secretary.
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