The countries of the G8 agreed to appeal to the UN Security Council for “appropriate measures” against North Korea for its attempt to send a Kwangmyongsong-3 Satellite into orbit; the foreign ministers also urged the UN to send observers to Syria to verify and ensure implementation of the Kofi Annan plan, since what has been achieved there “is a fragile truce”. As for piracy, a topic raised by Italy, foreign minister Giulio Terzi said that “recognition of our request in a joint communiqué issued at the end of the G8 meeting is highly significant and of great political impact”, referring to a paragraph proposed for insertion by Italy on maritime security, with specific mention of the “principles of international law regarding jurisdiction in the high seas”.
In their joint statement the G8 foreign ministers state that the launch of a rocket by North Korea “undermines regional peace and stability”. “We call on the DPRK to abstain from further launches using ballistic missile technology or other actions which aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula”, the statement reads. “We are ready to consider, with others, taking measures responding to all activities of the DPRK that violate UN Security Council Resolutions, and calling for appropriate response by the United Nations Security Council”.
A new appeal was made to Iran to “enter into constructive and serious dialogue” on its nuclear programme with the resumption of talks with the 5+1 group in Istanbul, in order “to restore international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program”.
In terms of Burma, the G8 ministers were in favour of loosening international sanctions in light of the country’s change in route toward democracy.
The summit document also appeals to Sudan and South Sudan to “end the hostilities”.
“I believe that this session”, said Minister Giulio Terzi, “further demonstrates the G8’s political importance”. A path, he explained, the seemed to have been interrupted, to have receded with the creation of the G20, but for which “in reality that are, in my opinion, elements of revival”. He then underscored how the meeting in the U.S. capital had not only been an occasion for an exchange of opinions, but also a moment in which to outline concrete steps on a series of issues on the agenda, which was dominated by the situations in Syria and North Korea, its newly launched satellite considered a missile test, and the Iranian nuclear dossier, ahead of the revival of the 5+1 talks. 14 aprile a Istanbul.