GERMANY HOSTS G7 SUMMIT ON 7- 8 JUNE WITH THE MOTTO THINK AHEAD ACT TOGETHER

USPA NEWS - Ukraine, ISIL, global security and stability: On 7-8 June, Germany will be hosting the G7 summit. Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited the heads of state and government of the G7 states to Schloss Elmau, where they will discuss the major global challenges within the framework of this informal group.

PRESIDENT OBAMA ARRIVES TODAY AT SCHLOSS ELMAU G7 WITH THE OTHER LEADERS OF 7 STATES-------- After the meeting of the G7 states in June 2014 in Brussels, Germany assumed the Presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) earlier than originally planned. Having hosted summits in 1978, 1985, 1992, 1999 and 2007, Germany will now host the next summit meeting on 7 and 8 June 2015 in Schloss Elmau. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, the United States of America and Canada (since 1976) together make up the G7. The European Commission is also represented at all meetings. The motto of this year´s summit is “Think Ahead. Act Together“. Key topics for the German G7 Presidency and G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau include the global economy, foreign, security and development policy, as well as empowering self-employed women and women in vocational training, energy security, and the upcoming UN conferences on international climate protection and the post-2015 agenda. These issues are all of global medium- to long-term importance. The Group of Seven are aware of their shared responsibility ““ and conscious that they will only be able to find answers to the questions of the future if they closely coordinate their policies.

On June 7-8, 2015, Germany will host the G7 Summit.  German Chancellor Angele Merkel invited the heads of state and government of the Group of Seven (G7) members to Schloss Elmau, south of Munich, where the leaders will discuss a broad range of global issues within the framework of this informal group.  President Barack Obama will attend the Summit on behalf of the United States.Vladimir Putin is absent from the meeting of the leaders of the seven greatest powers, since the annexation of the Crimea by Russia.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IS THE G7 ? The G7 is an informal group of advanced economies that meets annually in the country which holds the rotating presidency. It is not an international institution and has no permanent secretariat. The design of the G7 allows for candid discussions among leaders. During the 1970s, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Italy formed the Group of Six (G6) as an informal grouping that would meet annually to discuss matters of political and economic significance. Canada was added in 1976 to form the G7.  Originally, the G7 focused exclusively on economic and trade issues but has expanded over time to include many aspects of common concern among the members. At previous Summits, G7 leaders have discussed global security, energy, the environment and climate change, and development issues.

US PRESIDENT OBAMA : TOPICS AND PRIORITIES TI BE TAKLED AT THE G7 SUMMIT IN GERMANY FOR "On June 7, President Obama will begin his visit to Germany by joining Chancellor Merkel at a public event in Krün, where the President will speak about the U.S.-German alliance.  Following his visit in Krün, President Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel.  Then, there will be a G7 Summit welcome ceremony, and the leaders will enter into the different G7 sessions -- the first one focusing on the global economy, growth, and values; the second focusing on trade and standards.  Later on, there will be a family photo with the leaders, a concert, and a working dinner.---------------------------------  On June 8, the third G7 working session will focus on energy and climate.  There will then be a working session on terrorism, where the leaders will be joined by, among others, Prime Minister Abadi of Iraq, President Buhari of Nigeria, and President Essebsi of Tunisia.  Following that, there will be a working lunch on development issues, and then the G7 Summit will conclude.  Afterwards, President Obama will hold a press conference before leaving Germany.----------------------  "We also anticipate that President Obama will hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom to review our cooperation with the U.K. on a range of global issues and with Prime Minister Abadi to assess the ongoing progress of our counter-ISIL campaign in Iraq". Source : state.gov

WHAT TOPICS WILL LEADERS DISCUSS AT THE G7 SUMMIT IN GERMANY---------------------------------------------------- Leaders are expected to discuss Ukraine, Iran, and progress in the international coalition's counter-ISIL strategy.Leaders will also address the global economy, inclusive growth, trade, climate change and the environment, post-2015 development goals, women's education, women´s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, global health security, neglected tropical diseases, and the international response to the Ebola outbreak.--------------For more information see: www.state.gov, www.whitehouse.gov