diplomacy
G7 meeting: Baerbock warns of “escalation spiral”
“An escalation spiral would not serve anyone”: Annalena Baerbock. photo
© Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
When the G7 foreign ministers meet, there is usually a mood of crisis – this time particularly. The Iranian attack on Israel is of great concern. The German Foreign Minister warns both sides.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived late due to another visit to Israel. Another topic is a further tightening of sanctions against Iran.
Warning of “escalation spiral”
Before departing for the G7 meeting, the Green politician warned Iran and Israel to exercise “maximum restraint”. She warned: “An escalation spiral would serve no one.” This applies not only to Israel and the population in the Gaza Strip, but also to the “many people in Iran who themselves are suffering under the regime.” What must be prevented is that “the extremely dangerous situation in the Middle East does not turn into a regional conflagration.” The Federal Foreign Minister added: “As the G7, we speak with one voice: all actors in the region are called upon to exercise maximum restraint.”
Italy is chairing the Group of Seven this year. In addition to Germany, there are also the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France and Japan as well as the EU. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba are also expected in Capri. The Russian war of aggression against the neighboring country is the second defining topic of the meeting.
Baerbock: Strong air defense is vital for people in Ukraine
Baerbock called for further arms deliveries to Ukraine to ward off Russian attacks from the air. “Stronger air defenses are a matter of survival for thousands of people in Ukraine and the best protection for our own security.” To achieve this, “we and our partners around the world must now step up their efforts in defending against Russian terror from the air.” Germany is currently preparing to deliver another Patriot defense system.
With regard to China, which is becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indian Ocean and Pacific region, Baerbock explained that this was felt not only by the G7’s Pacific neighbors such as the USA, Canada and Japan, but also by Europe. The host of the meeting, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, mentioned cooperation with African states as another topic. At the end on Friday there will be various joint final declarations – including on the Middle East and Ukraine.
More than 1,300 police and other security forces are deployed on Capri to protect the ministers, most of them from mainland Italy. The island in the Gulf of Naples has fewer than 15,000 inhabitants. During the high season, however, a similar number or even more tourists come every day.
The G7 summit of heads of state and government will take place in mid-June in the southern Italian region of Apulia. The foreign ministers will meet again in November.