BERLIN, January 13. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia, which has taken over the presidency at the Group of Eight, outlined a wide range of important international problems, which includes topics of importance for Germany, a representative of the German government told Itar-Tass.
“Since the meetings of G8 leaders and governments are of informal character, the leading role in picking topics belongs to a presiding company. Russia took over the chairing role on January 1, 2014 and outlined a wide and promising agenda. It also contains the priorities of importance for Germany,” the source said.
Official Berlin said most challenges G8 had been facing this year had been related to “the activities over many years of the member states” of that international club. Germany’s government highlights several the long-term topics - fighting international terrorism and the healthcare.
“Anyway, as yet it is too early to voice positions on separate initiatives and topics. G8 jointly, under the chairing of Russia, before the summit (in Sochi) will offer a detailed action plan for every direction,” the source said.
Undoubtedly, overcoming the global crisis is one of the challenges G8 under Russia’s presidency will be facing in 2014. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, who took the office for the third time in late 2013, has noted that in the current year she would pay special attention to elimination of construction drawbacks in the mechanism of preventing crises. “We should by means of the prevention policies eliminate the reasons, which have caused the current situation in the European Union and in the euro zone,” the chancellor said.
The economic aspects in the framework of G8 are reflected also in the coalition agreement, basic for Germany’s policy for the next four years. Among the G8 and G20 countries we would like to favor achievement of unanimity regarding the global economic policy, the document reads.
Besides, it stresses the importance of assistance to the emerging countries. The topic, Germany’s government says, should become a priority over Russia’s presiding at G8. The policy of assisting emerging countries should be of major importance for the coming G8 and G20 summits, the document says. We, on our part, will see to it the promises voiced at the meetings were implemented immediately, the coalition agreement reads.