G7 Summit: 7 Must-Sees Of The World's Most Powerful Leaders

Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom participated in the 45th Summit of the Group of Seven, which began last Saturday and culminated on Monday.

At their annual meeting, these economic powers come together to find solutions to global problems related to security, energy policies, the environment and the fight against diseases.

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This year's meeting focused on "fighting inequality".

The summit attracts great attention from the media and large groups of protesters, including environmental activists and anti-capitalist organizations.

At the end of each meeting, participants publish a statement summarizing the agreements they reached, but beyond what is the most relevant and striking of the G7 Summit in 2019 ?

1. The unexpected visit of Iran

Traditionally, leaders from other non-G7 countries are invited to the summit.

This Sunday, the surprise guest was Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Biarritz on the invitation of Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

Zarif has published a photo in which he appears reunited with Macron and indicates that he then had an information session with the United Kingdom and Germany.

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Prior to Zarif's arrival, several media reported that the US delegation was surprised.

At a press conference, however, President Donald Trump said Macron had asked for his "approval" for Zarif's visit.

A French diplomatic official, quoted by the Gardian, said that Zarif was not an official guest of the G7 but that Macron had informed the group members of his presence.

"Our diplomats work in total transparency with the United States," said the diplomat.

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Zarif's presence comes at a time of intense tension between the United States. and Iran.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since last year. Trump withdrew his country from the 2015 treaty that limited Iran's nuclear activities.

In response to the introduction and tightening of economic sanctions by the United States, Iran has increased its activities in the field of nuclear energy.

On Monday, Trump said that in "the right circumstances" he was willing to meet with Hbadan Rouhani, president of Iran.

2. Help in the Amazon that Bolsonaro did not like

Macron, host of the G7, announced that the group will allocate 22 million USD to fight the fires that affect the Amazon.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has been criticized for his response to the environmental disaster, is not happy with the announcement.

Bolsonaro said that the G7 initiative was treating Brazil "as if it was a colony or a no man's land".

The president also accused Macron of "concealing his intentions behind the idea of ​​an" alliance "of the G7 countries" and of having respected Brazil's sovereignty.

Despite Bolsonaro's comments, the Brazilian Minister of the Environment, Ricardo Salles, told the press that funds are welcome.

Donal Trump did not attend the sessions during which the G7 discussed issues related to climate change and addressed the situation in the Amazon.

3. Russia: inside or outside?

Until 2014, the G7 was actually the G8, Russia being one of its members.

Russia, however, was excluded from the group after the annexation of the Crimea region, which belonged to Ukraine.

Before leaving for the summit, Trump said: "Russia should be present at this meeting … whether we like it or not, they should allow Russia to come back (in the group)."

During the meeting, Trump insisted that he was open to inviting the summit to Russia next year. "To have them inside the room is better than having them on the outside," said the president.

According to a diplomat quoted by The Guardian, Trump's stance provoked a moment of "tension" at the dinner the leaders had on Saturday.

According to the Guardian's source, Trump said that it made sense to include Russia in the talks on Iran, Syria and North Korea, but that "most" of the other leaders insisted that Putin does not represent the values ​​of the Council members. group

At a press conference Monday, Macron said the group had not reached an agreement on the opportunity to re-invite Russia to the G7.

4. The curious photo of Melania Trump and Justin Trudeau

In the family photo in which the G7 leaders pose with their partners, there was a curious moment that caused all kinds of comments and memes on social networks.

For now and the angle of the photo, it seems that Melania Trump, first lady of the United States and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, had a good time while Trump is seen looking down.

The tag #MelaniaLovesTrudeau has become popular on social networks.

5. China has called or not?

The economic war between China and the United States It had a new chapter during the G7.

Friday, USA announced that they would begin the process of increasing tariffs on imports from China.

On Monday, however, Trump said that "very soon" the two countries could resume negotiations to calm tensions.

"China called last night … they said to return to the table, so we will come back to the table," he said.

However, in Beijing, Geng Shuang, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said he had not heard of any calls between the two sides, Reuters reported.

6. The next G7 at Trump Club in Florida?

The 2020 G7 summit will be held in the United States and Trump has promoted its own Doral resort in Florida, Florida.

"We think about it," said the president at a press conference in which he spoke about the qualities of his golf club.

"It's a great place … it has several hundred acres … We have not found anything that can come and compete."

7. The Macron Method

At the previous two G7 summits, Trump had demonstrated unpredictable behavior. His presence in Biarritz has raised some concerns.

Macron, however, seems to have found a good way to deal with the US president, who this year has shown more diplomatic-minded behavior.

"Trump is someone who says things very directly and likes to make deals, I've favored a transparent exchange, and I'll continue to do that," the French president told reporters at the press conference. ;a press conference.

"I think the direct relationship, the respectful explanation and the building of effective engagements work with Trump."

In any case, Trump made statements that attracted attention, for example when at the summit, he suggested that, thanks to him, the Japanese car manufacturers have built factories in the United States, or have stated that the question was more Sunday's counterparts were: "Why do American media hate their country so much?"

BBC