G7 Summit: Group Discusses Future, Global Economy On First Day

From Tengku Faezah Tengku Yusof ISE-SHIMA (Japan), May 27 (Bernama) -- The opening of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Ise-Shima, Japan on Thursday discussed important issues pertaining to the grouping's future and the global economy at a time of uncertainty due to declining crude oil prices. Press Secretary to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Japan, Yasuhisa Kawamura said the two-day summit kicked off with its first session on the G7 Values and Unity agenda, followed by a discussion towards sustainable and strong growth of the global economy. According to Kawamura, other important issues discussed were maritime security, trade and foreign policies. "Prime Minister (Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe) Abe imply to exchange views and condition of the South China Sea and East China Sea and during the discussion each leaders make comment on the current state of the ocean," he told journalists at a daily press briefing, here Thursday. Kawamura noted that the G7 leaders agreed on the importance of international law, rules and principles, and that it should be sent out as a clear signal to the rest of the world. Earlier on Thursday, Abe, the chair of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, received G7 leaders in front of Uji-bashi Bridge at Ise Jingu or Ise Shrine as an official welcoming ceremony of the Summit. Among the leaders present were United States President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as President of the European Council Donald. Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. At the event, the G7 leaders were also welcomed by 46 children from kindergartens affiliated with Ise Shrine and joined a tree-planting ceremony with the Governor of Mie, Eikei Suzuki. On Thursday night, Abe and his wife hosted an official dinner for the leaders featuring Japanese cuisine prepared in semi-Western style with a widearray of local ingredients at the Shima Kanko Hotel, here. The Summit continues Friday with the discussion on climate change, energy, stability as well as first and second outreach agenda, namely stability and prosperity in Asia while development in Africa will also be discussed. The G7 leaders is also scheduled to pay a visit to the International Media Centre (IMC) and a brief tour to the exhibition at the IMC featuring Japan's various technology, products and crafts. --BERNAMA