Naples, October 19 (IANS). For the first time in the history of the Group of Seven (G7), the meeting of defense ministers began in Naples on Saturday. The meeting was hosted by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The agenda of the meeting includes discussion on key global conflicts and areas of instability.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is also participating in the meeting and one of its sessions is dedicated to the Russia-Ukraine war.
A session dedicated to defense has also been scheduled, which aims to promote the role of the G-7 as an effective consultation forum, identifying shared perspectives on political and economic topics.
“The worrying situation in the Middle East will also be discussed. This discussion will take place within the framework of our shared commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza and a political process leading to a two-state solution,” the Italian G7 presidency said in a statement. “In addition, the entire regional security landscape will be discussed to identify possible actions aimed at preventing and controlling increasing instability.”
The Defense Minister will also focus on the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. The region is playing an increasingly decisive role in the global political and economic balance.
The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political and economic forum. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are its members. The European Union (EU) is its ‘non-counting member’.
The heads of government or state of each member of the group, the President of the EU Commission, and the President of the European Council meet annually at the G7 summit.
The G7 and other high-ranking officials of the EU meet throughout the year.
–IANS
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