THE EU AT THE G8/G20
The Group of Eight (G8) is a forum of the world's largest economies to discuss common challenges and possible solutions. The European Union is, together with Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a full member of the G8.
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THE EU AT THE G8/G20
The Russian G8 Presidency made energy security, infectious diseases, and education the three key issues for the G8 Summit.
At the press conference ahead of the G8 summit European Commission President Barroso called on G8 leaders to go the extra mile to agree a common set of energy security principles which would lay the foundations for a stable energy future.
One of the key tests for G8 leaders in St. Petersburg was to agree on a common set of energy security principles, covering all actors in the energy chain from producing to consuming, as well as transit countries.
The Commission's second main priority was that G8 leaders would move more quickly to deliver on the landmark pledges on Africa at Gleneagles in 2005. The EU is determined to keep Africa at the centre of the political stage. In a letter to President Putin, President Barroso noted that the EU was not only on track to deliver on its Gleneagles pledge to double aid by 2010, it was already planning to go further with an ambitious proposal to set up a €3 billion fund to promote good governance, a critical element in effective aid spending.
President Barroso summarised these priorities ahead of the summit: "On energy, we need to create the right climate for both investment and supplies to flow freely. The G8 must agree a set of principles which will lay the foundations for a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system.
"Our second priority is to keep Africa centre stage. With the commitments made at Gleneagles, there is real hope that African poverty could be ended. But all G8 partners must step up delivery to make a lasting difference. And we need to move further and faster. Money alone is not enough, sound governance goes to the heart of sustainable African development. With this ambitious proposal for a €3 billion governance fund, the EU is making a significant shift in development policy to reinforce the Gleneagles goals."
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PRESS RELEASES AND STATEMENTS
- 11/07/2006 - President Barroso calls on G8 to lay the foundations for a stable energy future and makes new aid proposal for Africa
- 11/07/2006 – President Barroso's letter to President Putin
- Official website of the G8 Presidency of the Russian Federation in 2006
- Summit outcome
- 16/07/2006 - G8 declaration on cooperation and future action on stablization and reconstruction
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VIDEOS AND PHOTOS