Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized countries wrapped up their three-day meeting on Tuesday, calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
“We once again condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, including the UN Charter,” G-7 top diplomats said in a communique released after their discussions in the central Japanese town of Karuizawa.
While pledging to intensifying sanctions against Russia, they renewed commitment to supporting Ukraine and to providing sustained security, economic, and institutional support, according to the document. They also warned third parties to stop supplying weapons to Russia, or face “severe costs.” The G-7 ministers reiterated their “clear determination that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon, and urge Iran to cease nuclear escalations” and urged Iran to fulfill its legal obligations and political commitments regarding nuclear non-proliferation without further delay, the document reads.
Meanwhile, they welcomed initiatives to improve bilateral relations among countries and de-escalate tensions in the Middle Eastern region, including Iran and Saudi Arabia’s recent agreement to restore ties.
As for China, they expressed serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas, and strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or intimidation.
“There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization activities in the region,” the communique said.
They also stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait “as an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community,” and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
“There is no change in the basic positions of the G-7 members on Taiwan, including stated one China policies,” they said.
“For the first time as the G-7, we were able to note in a statement our commitment to a rules-based, free and open international order and our strong opposition to any attempt unilateral attempts to change the status-quo anywhere in the world,” Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, who hosted the meeting, told a press conference after the gathering.
“We hope to cooperate toward the Hiroshima Summit to address urgent issues facing the international community,” said Hayashi.
The G-7 consists of Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the US.
Source: Kuwait News Agency