G7 foreign ministers meet to discuss Ukraine war, Asia-Pacific tensions
Karuizawa, Japan, Apr 17 (EFE).- The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations began their second day of meetings on Monday in the Japanese city of Karuizawa, in which they are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine and the increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
The diplomatic heads of the G7 nations arrived from 10am local time on Monday to the Prince Karuizawa hotel, the venue of their meetings that will last until Tuesday in this idyllic town located between the mountains of Nagano in central Japan.
The ministers are scheduled to hold four sessions and a working lunch on Monday, in addition to a dinner, at which they hope to agree on a joint statement, especially amid challenges posed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in his opening remarks that he hoped that the discussions would serve to show G7’s determination to maintain international order.
At a work dinner held the previous evening, when the meetings kicked off, the participating ministers expressed their shared vision in maintaining a free and open international order based on rules, according to a statement by Japan which currently holds the presidency of the group.
The ministers also expressed their “strong determination not to accept unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, as well as to strengthen engagement with the countries known as the ‘Global South’.”
As for China, Hayashi stressed on the need to create a stable and constructive relationship with a view to working together on global challenges and areas of common interest.
At the same time, the Japanese minister expressed his “concern” about certain behaviors of Beijing and urged it to act “responsibly” as a member of the international community, a position shared by the other ministers of the G7.
Along the same lines, Hayashi stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element for the prosperity of the international community and stressed on a peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region.
The G7 meeting amid further escalation in tensions around Taiwan, over fresh Chinese military maneuvers in response to the recent visit to the United States by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
Against this backdrop, the language of the final text of the joint declaration of the G7 foreign ministers will hold much significance, especially with regard to the situation and the Indo-Pacific. EFE
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