G8 World Economic Summit (Heiligendamm, 6-8 June 2007) – Policy statement by German Fed. Chancellor Merkel – Non-UN document

Transcript of the policy statement of 24 May 2007 by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on the G8 World Economic Summit in Heiligendamm from 6 to 8 June 2007

Thu, 24.05.2007

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Ladies and gentlemen, this year's G8 Summit will be held in Heiligendamm early in June at the invitation of the German Presidency. This Summit will provide a unique forum for discussing political responses to the pressing global issues of our time with Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight countries and the most important emerging economies. As in St Petersburg last year, we will also look at current foreign and security policy issues, just as the G8 Foreign Ministers will do this weekend.

The violent clashes in the Gaza Strip leave us no rest. More missiles are again being fired from the Palestinian territories onto targets in Israel. These attacks must stop. They must give way to renewed attempts to build confidence. Violence is not a solution to the problems. The solution still lies in the vision of two states within secure borders and in peace, for the Jewish people in Israel and for the Palestinians in Palestine. Calm must come to the region as a whole. For this reason the continued attempts to undermine the Government of Lebanon must not succeed. The key requirement is for Syria, too, to adopt a constructive attitude and to finally grant Lebanon diplomatic recognition.

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