US-Russia relations: Trump wants RUSSIA to rejoin G8

US President Trump reiterates call for Russia to rejoin ‘G8’ US President Donald Trump renewed calls on Tuesday to let Russia join the G7 -- thus making it the G8 again -- group of advanced industrialised countries.

Read more at:
https://www.france24.com/en/20190820-usa-trump-letting-russia-join-g7-appropriate-g8-industrialised-nations-france-putin

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UKRAINE: Chizhov: "For Russia Ukraine is more important than G8"

If the West decides to sanction Russia by boycotting the G8 summit in Sochi, this gathering of the world’s major players will not become a G7, but will simply disappear, and Russia will not see it as a blow, because it considers Ukraine as more important than G8, Vladimir Chizhov, Russia’s ambassador to the EU, told EurActiv in an exclusive interview.

Vladimir Chizhov is a career diplomat. Before being appointed ambassador to the EU in 2005 he was deputy minister of foreign affairs. He spoke to EurActiv's senior editor Georgi Gotev yesterday (4 March).

Russian President Putin gave today a wide-ranging press conference on the situation around Ukraine. Perhaps we could go into details of things he said. Let’s start with the sanctions which the EU may adopt against Russia. President Putin said that sanctions could hit back at those who impose them, and warned that they should “think about it”. Is this some sort of threat?

Of course it’s not a threat, rather a piece of friendly advice. If we speak about trade and economic ties, it’s always a two-way street. And partners that are so closely interlinked and interdependent as Russia and the EU, certainly rely on each other on many issues. Our trade turnover, I’ll give a very simple figure, is one billion euros a day. And that is a figure that is worth considering before taking any restrictive measures.

On certain possible measures that were announced at the [EU] Foreign Affairs Council yesterday, they do not appear to be overly impressive. I would even add that they are more restrained than the political rhetoric that surrounded them.

You refer to freezing the visa dialogue? As Russians have not got a visa free regime, such a freeze means nothing, is this what you mean?

Yes, because the process is already frozen by the EU. Because it’s not going anywhere. On the new [basic bilateral] agreement there is a similar situation. The ball is squarely in the EU court. 

Before the last [EU-Russia] summit we had in January we suggested that we should re-invigorate the process, and use the summit to provide political impetus to those negotiations, but the EU chose to postpone it to the next summit in June. So we’ll see what the European Council comes out with on Thursday.

But what if G8 becomes G7? Wouldn’t this be a blow to Russia?

Well, the G8 will not become G7, it would fade away and fizzle out. Because actually it’s been overtaken to a great extent by the G20, as far as economic issues are concerned. On the political side: you know, chairing the G8 is not a privilege, it’s not a gift given to Russia. It’s a huge burden of responsibility.

 And every presidency of the G8 has to organise hundreds of meetings, apart from the summit. If there is a pause in that work, that would only increase the tension in further work on preparing the summit and beyond. And you know, for Russia, I will tell you my personal view, what happens in Ukraine is more important than what happens with the G8 summit.

Ukraine is important, but we see a dialogue of the deaf between the EU and Russia in terms of qualifying the political events in this country. The EU sees what happened there as a democratic revolution, while President Putin calls it… A coup d’état.

Ukraine: Chizhov: For Russia Ukraine is more important than G8 | EurActiv

Politicians out of touch with reality - social unrest spreads around the world - by RM

From Brazil to Turkey, Bulgaria to Egypt, Spain to India, Greece to Mexico,and so on, people are protesting against their governments. This comes as a result of many factors, accumulated anger, poverty, deprivation, disparity, exclusion and marginalization. The people in power are accused of arrogance, misrule, corruption, nepotism, and unwillingness to compromise.

People  interviewed watching the G8 leaders cosying up to to each other in Northern Ireland, surrounded by great luxury, attending "bla-bla" meetings and social events, said they felt absolutely no affinity with this "comedy". The general observation was that the G8 leaders were acting like prima-donas instead of elected officials, and did not tackle real pressing issues.

It is becoming more and more clear that the incapacity of traditional political representatives to deal with the new demands of a changing world has resulted in a disconnect between them and the public at large. This is a most alarming development. Looking back at history one can say safely that this is what usually causes public disturbances which eventually lead to revolutions and the established order.

One can only hope that the politicians presently at the helm of their governments around the world witnessing  the people they are supposed to represent openly revolt against them, will take this as a serious warning to take corrective action before its too late.

EU-Digest

G8 - "The Drums of War": Syria, North Korea to dominate G8 foreign ministers talks

Syrian rebels are set to meet US secretary of state John Kerry and other G8 foreign ministers gathered in London on Wednesday, with nuclear fears over North Korea and Iran also high on the agenda.

Rebel prime minister Ghassan Hitto and Syrian National Coalition vice presidents George Sabra and Soheir Atassi are expected to push their demands for weapons to help topple President Bashar al-Assad.

The meeting of the top diplomats from the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized nations will also tackle Myanmar, Somalia, cyber-security and the issue of preventing sexual violence in war zones.

“Literally, the top of our agenda will be the situation in Syria, that will be the first subject that we discuss,” British foreign secretary William Hague said in a briefing on Tuesday.

Read more: Syria, North Korea to dominate G8 foreign ministers talks - Livemint

Europe Faces Difficult Search for Growth

On paper at least, European leaders agree: They need stronger growth measures to help their economies expand out of their 2½-year-old government debt crisis. Figuring out exactly what those new steps might be will be the hard part.

Persistent political divisions — neatly bridged by a Group of Eight summit statement that advocates a mix of austerity and growth promotion — and lack of money stand in the way of a comprehensive European growth strategy. Analysts said markets were likely to look past the verbal deal, with news about Greece’s struggle to stay in the eurozone and an informal European Union summit Thursday in Brussels more likely to set the tone.

At Saturday’s G-8 summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel — under urging from U.S. President Barack Obama and French President Francois Hollande — signed onto a statement that called for mixing painful cutbacks with growth-promoting measures to deal with a crisis that threatens the global economy.

Read more: Europe Faces Difficult Search for Growth | Business | TIME.com

G8 leaders urge Europe to focus on growth

The Group of Eight nations are advocating growth rather than austerity in Europe after spending two days of meetings at Camp David aimed at containing an escalating fiscal crisis overseas.

US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and leaders of the world's other top economies agreed that while Europe should still toil to reduce deficits, it must above all else promote widespread growth and job creation.

"All of us are absolutely committed to making sure that both growth and stability and fiscal consolidation are part of a overall package that all of us have to pursue in order to achieve the kind of prosperity for our citizens that we're looking for," Obama said at a news conference at the end of the summit.

For more: G8 leaders urge Europe to focus on growth - News1130

Amid Camp David's lush splendor, U.S. Marines enforce tight security

 It's one of the most storied political retreats in the world, a lushly verdant paradise nestled in the northern reaches of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It's also guarded so heavily by U.S. Marines that those living near the rustic presidential compound have complained of soldiers leaping out at them from the pristine woods if they dare wander too close or look suspicious.

"I love living nearby because it's so beautiful, but it's a shame people living here will never, ever see Camp David, and also that security can be so over the top," a waitress at the Eisenhower Hotel in nearby Gettysburg, Pa., said Saturday.

For more: Amid Camp David's lush splendour, U.S. Marines enforce tight security - Winnipeg Free Press

Russia: President Putin Will Skip G8 Forum at Camp David in the US while forming his new Government

Forty-eight hours into his third term, President Vladimir Putin has backed out of a high-profile meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and other G8 leaders.

The Kremlin confirmed Thursday that Putin had telephoned Obama to say he would not attend the Group of Eight summit in Maryland next week and would send Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in his stead.

In a short statement, the White House said Putin explained in the phone conversation Wednesday that he was busy finalizing a new government after his inauguration this week.

“Noting his responsibilities to finalize Cabinet appointments in the new Russian government, President Putin expressed his regret that he would be unable to attend the G8 summit at Camp David on May 18-19,” the White House said.

EU-Digest

Sky News: Russia uncertain about climate plan

Sky News

Russia uncertain about climate plan

During the summit, the G8 industrialized nations and the nine most important emerging powers agreed that developed countries as a whole should cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent but the declaration was promptly undermined when Russia said such a target was unattainable and unacceptable. Obama said, however, that he did not expect an instant meeting of minds. 'And while we don't expect to solve the problem in one meeting, or one summit. I believe we have made important strides forward,' he said. 'I don't think I have to emphasise that climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. The science is clear and conclusive and impacts can no longer be ignored. 'Ice sheets are melting. Sea levels are rising. Our oceans are becoming more acidic, and we've already seen its effects on weather patterns, our food and water sources, our health and our habitats,' he said.

AFP/Yahoo: Israeli strike on Iran would be 'catastrophe': Sarkozy

For the complete report from AFP/Yahoo News click on this link

Israeli strike on Iran would be 'catastrophe': Sarkozy

A unilateral attack by Israel against Iran to thwart the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions would be an "absolute catastrophe", French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned on Thursday. Sarkozy was speaking after a summit of G8 and other leaders in Italy at which they agreed on the need to pursue a negotiated deal with Tehran to halt a programme which Western powers fear hides a plan to acquire nuclear weapons.

CCTV: G8 summit in Italy reach agreements during 3 days ( but nothing specific)

For the complete report from CCTV click on this link

The Group of Eight rich nations and the Group of 5 emerging economies say they have reached several agreements at their three-day summit in Italy. Also, world leaders there said they'll complete the long-stalled Doha trade talks in 2010.

Note EU-Digest: agreements reached at the G8 meeting in Italy were mainly commitments to achieve agreements on several pending issues during a period of several years. The G8 has basically has ceased to be major decision making group as the G20 is growing in importance.

China Stakes: China Looks to G8, EU for More Trade, Stable System-ChinaStakes.com

For the complete report from ChinaStakes.com click on this link

China Looks to G8, EU for More Trade, Stable System

Three months after his previous visit, China’s President Hu Jintao is again in Europe, now in Italy, along with a delegation of 300. This time the focus of the delegation is mainly on investment instead of sourcing. President Hu is also there to attend a dialogue between the G8 and developing countries to be held in Italy on July 9. It has been thought likely China will again raise the idea of a super-sovereign currency at this meeting, but the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied it. Vice-Minister He Yafei said at a July 2 briefing that China hoped to see a stabilized dollar rate and a diversified international monetary system in the future. The Chinese central bank’s signals over the yuan, the US dollar, and the IMF’s SDR as a super-sovereign currency have stirred up some confusion over its intentions, but top Chinese leaders continue to repeat the need to establish a diversified international monetary system.

Washington Post: Early On, Europe Is Out Front in Overhaul of Global Financial System - by Anthony Faiola

For the complete report from the washingtonpost.com click on this link

Early On, Europe Is Out Front in Overhaul of Global Financial System - by Anthony Faiola

Europe is moving rapidly to overhaul the global financial system in the wake of the economic crisis, pushing through new measures and proposing others that could impose significant restrictions on American and other firms based far beyond its borders.The Europeans are now out front, for instance, in setting strict new standards for rating agencies and risk management at firms selling mortgage-backed securities. Europe has also seized the initiative in developing new rules to monitor hedge funds while forging ahead this week with plans to create two new powerful regulatory agencies in Europe, according to analysts and regulators.

Under a draft proposal issued by the European Commission, the ruling body of the 27-member European Union, U.S. hedge funds may have to subject themselves to tight European oversight or be barred from doing business with European clients. The scope of these efforts is generating a measure of friction, with U.S. officials as well as among some Europeans who favor a more cautious approach toward regulation, such as the British. The sense of alarm is even greater among financial firms that fear Washington may ultimately follow the path set by the Europeans -- historically more disposed to regulation than Americans.

Note EU-Digest: At least as a first step this is excellent policy by the EU to avoid future financial disasters as the one we are presently experiencing world-wide.

Forbes.com: Russia's Medvedev supports G-8 meeting on economy

For the complete report of Forbes.com click on this link

Russia's Medvedev supports G-8 meeting on economy

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday he supports holding an emergency meeting of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations to discuss the global financial crisis. Medvedev said he had discussed the idea with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, adding that consultations between the G-8 members are going on, but no time or venue has been set for the summit yet. Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of Seven nations will meet Friday to discuss the economic meltdown. One of the potential remedies expected to be discussed at the meeting in Washington is for governments to guarantee lending between banks. Medvedev told reporters it would make sense to invite other leading economic powers to join the G-8 meeting.

The ChronicleHerald.ca: G8 losing relevance in new global reality by David Crane

For the complete report from The ChronicleHerald.ca click on this link

G8 losing relevance in new global reality by David Crane

We live in a global economy, yet we have no effective system to manage a global economy. That’s one reason the world is in such a mess today. If you want evidence of this look at the current state of the world’s economy — soaring oil prices, a food crisis, the risks of stagflation and protectionism, climate change, growing competition for natural resources and great inequality. The G8 leaders from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Russia, Italy and Canada like to think they are the ones who can take charge of the big global challenges. But as their recent annual summit in Japan showed, this is a pipe dream.

So a top priority has to be a new consensus on how we manage the global system in the years ahead without conflict, environmental disaster or a world of competing protectionist blocs, and how leaders of the major nations can help provide effective ways of dealing with challenges in a way that supports the work of the UN and the various multilateral institutions.

M&C: US, France clash over G8 expansion

For the complete report from the M&C click on this link

US, France clash over G8 expansion

The United States and France clashed Monday over plans to accommodate India, China and other large developing countries into the Group of Eight (G8) of industrialized countries, according to Japanese media reports quoting officials from both sides.In an interview given to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper prior to his departure for Japan, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said G8 annual summits should also include China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.

TimesOnline: G8 leaders feast on 8 courses after discussing world food shortages - Times Online

For the complete report from the Times Online click on this link

G8 leaders feast on 8 courses after discussing world food shortages

Food shortages and the need to double African production may dominate the G8 summit but even as they discussed the problems of the developing world yesterday, the leaders of the world’s richest nations, joined by several African leaders, ate course after course of fine food. The leaders tucked into truffle soup and crab as they discussed Zimbabwe and aid to Africa’s poorest people. The evening feast of 19 separate dishes included diced fatty flesh of tuna fish and milk-fed lamb with aromatic herbs. Tomorrow, after working up an appetite discussing soaring food prices, the leaders will enjoy a EURO 225 per person dinner of giant crab, EURO 75-a-kilogram langoustine and sweet clover ice cream, prepared by Michel Bras, a Michelin three-star French chef.

Dominic Nutt, of Save the Children, said: “It is deeply hypocritical [that] they should be lavishing course after course on world leaders when there is a food crisis and millions cannot afford to eat.”

DW: Germany in Hot Seat as G8 Pushes Nuclear Power

For the complete report from the Deutsche Welle click on this link

Germany in Hot Seat as G8 Pushes Nuclear Power

Moves to boost the role of nuclear power in the global energy mix at this week's summit of the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrial nations could be the most difficult issue for German Chancellor Merkel.Speaking ahead of her trip to Japan for the G8 summit, Merkel lashed out at the decision to end nuclear power in Germany, saying it was "absolutely wrong." She repeated her call for a mix of energy sources for Europe's biggest economy including fossil fuels and renewable power as well nuclear plans.

Allianz: The G8 Climate Scorecard

For the special report from Allianz, a global financial service provider click on this link

The G8 Climate Scorecard

The international climate change debate has gained momentum and the urgent need for action has become obvious. This action-oriented approach led WWF and Allianz SE, Dow Jones Sustainability Index leader in the insurance sector, to publish the G8 Climate Scorecards. They give a transparent account of the climate profile of the leading industrialized countries. They are intended to contribute to laying the groundwork for a productive international climate debate. The overall question is: How do the G8 Nations ensure the world’s long-term interest of keeping climate change under control and moving towards a low carbon economy? We also included scorecards for the five emerging countries, Brazil China, India, Mexico and South Africa to round out the picture. Ultimately, the G8 Climate Scorecards should help policy makers and a wider public to identify the path leading to a global low carbon economy.

avaaz.org: Don't burn food: biofuels standards needed now

To express your opinion on biofuels to your local leaders click here

Don't burn food: biofuels standards needed now

Each day, 820 million people in the developing world do not have enough food to eat1. Food prices around the world are shooting up, sparking food riots from Mexico2 to Morocco3. And the World Food Program warned last week that rapidly rising costs are endangering emergency food supplies for the world's worst-off. How are the wealthiest countries responding? They're burning food. Specifically, they're using more and more biofuels--alcohol made from plant products, used in place of petrol to fuel cars. Biofuels are billed as a way to slow down climate change. But in reality, because so much land is being cleared to grow them, most biofuels today are causing more global warming emissions than they prevent, even as they push the price of corn, wheat, and other foods out of reach for millions of people.Not all biofuels are bad--but without tough global standards, the biofuels boom will further undermine food security and worsen global warming.

It's time to move: this Friday through Saturday, the twenty countries with the biggest economies, responsible for more than 75% of the world's carbon emissions, will meet in Chiba, Japan to begin the G8's climate change discussions.

Before the summit, it is time to raise a global cry for change on biofuels: go to: http://www.avaaz.org/en/biofuel_standards_now/9.php?cl=60268287
A call for change before this week's summit won't end the food crisis, or stop global warming. But it's a critical first step. By confronting false solutions and demanding real ones, we can show our leaders that we want to do the right thing, not the easy thing.