Bari (Italy): Leaders of G-7 countries focused on illegal migration at the start of the second day of the summit on Friday. The G7 leaders discussed ways to combat human trafficking and increase investment in countries from where migrants often risk their lives on the journey. Other key topics being discussed at the conference, held at a luxury resort in Italy’s southern region of Puglia, include financial aid to Ukraine, the Gaza war, artificial intelligence, climate change, China’s industrial policy and economic security.
However, some differences also emerged over the summit’s final declaration, with disagreements reported over the inclusion of a reference to abortion. Migration is of particular concern to summit host Italy, which is one of the main routes into the EU for people fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giordano Meloni, known for her tough stance on the issue, has been keen to increase investment and funding in African countries as a way to ease the migrant burden on Europe. “Italy wants to give enough space to another continent that is the basis of the future of all of us, that is Africa, with its difficulties and opportunities,” Meloni said at the opening of the summit on Thursday.
More than 22 thousand people entered Italy by sea
According to UNHCR data, more than 22,000 people have reached Italy by sea so far in 2024. In 2023, more than 157,000 people arrived and nearly 2,000 died or went missing while trying to make the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean. The US is also grappling with a surge in migrants at its southern border. President Joe Biden tried to pass a bill in Congress but failed, after which he introduced new policies to curb migration. However, migrant rights advocates filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the new policies, and it is unclear whether they will withstand legal challenges in US courts.
Dealing with migration becomes a challenge
Arriving at the summit, European Council President Charles Michel said tackling migration was “a common challenge.” “It is a challenge we want to face together with our partners. The G7 must fight traffickers, criminal groups who are exploiting (forced people) to make money and destabilise regions and countries around the world,” he said. Italy has also invited several African leaders, including Algerian President Abdul Majid Tabune, Kenyan President William Ruto and Tunisian President Kais Saied, to press Meloni’s migration and development initiative. There were some differences among the G7 leaders.
Macron expressed regret over abortion issue not being mentioned in G7
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed regret that abortion was not mentioned in the draft final declaration of the summit. A statement issued after last year’s summit in Hiroshima, Japan, expressed commitment to providing women and girls with access to safe and legal abortion, and pledged to protect gender equality and the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community. A senior EU official confirmed Friday that this year’s final declaration does not contain the word “abortion,” although it does mention promoting sexual and reproductive health rights. “It is not possible to reach agreement on these things,” he said. (AP)
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