Munich: Foreign Ministers from France, Canada, Italy, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the High Representative of the European Union, gathered on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. This meeting marked the first under the 2026 French G7 Presidency.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the French foreign ministry released a statement highlighting that this informal gathering, part of the Foreign Affairs track, provided an opportunity for French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-No«l Barrot to outline the main priorities of France's G7 Presidency. These priorities include addressing significant global macroeconomic imbalances and revamping the model of international partnerships. The meeting also coincided with the upcoming fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, allowing G7 members to reaffirm their support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Special attention was given to supporting Ukraine's energy sector amid ongoing Russian attacks.
The discussions extended to other critical global crises, including those in Gaza, Iran, Venezuela, the Indo-Pacific region, Sudan, and Haiti. The involvement of India's Foreign Minister was noted as a significant gesture, emphasizing France's intention to engage emerging nations in G7 dialogues, particularly on global governance reforms and maritime security.
In a statement reflecting the current geopolitical climate, marked by instability, Jean-No«l Barrot emphasized the importance of the G7 as a platform for dialogue and coordination to address significant crises in line with international law. France's G7 Presidency aims to strengthen multilateralism and involve other nations in discussions under a partnership model, tackling global macroeconomic imbalances and cross-cutting threats, including drug trafficking and organized crime.