Japan Plans to Invite 7 Nations to G-7 Outreach Session

Tokyo, April 7 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government plans to invite leaders of seven developing nations, mostly in Asia, to hold talks with the heads of the Group of Seven major economies and the European Union in Japan in May, officials said Thursday. The seven countries Japan is considering asking to take part in the so-called G-7 outreach session are Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Chad. At the envisaged outreach meeting, to be held as part of the Ise-Shima G-7 summit in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, participating leaders are expected to discuss development-related issues, the officials said. At present, Laos chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Chad the African Union. Usually a G-7 summit chair arranges a session to discuss specific matters with nonmember countries and international organizations. The G-7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The EU has been represented at their summits. END