ROME: Italy is planning to invite leaders from the North African nations of Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia, to outreach meetings at the Group of Seven summit that it will host in mid-June.
The G7 comprises the United States, Canada, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Germany, and the European Union (EU). The leaders’ gathering will take place in Borgo Egnazia, a resort in the southeastern Puglia region on June 13-15.
The leaders of Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Kenya would all get invitations, along with representatives of the African Union.
Other countries in G7 Summit
South Africa, India, and Brazil were likely to attend as members of the broader G20 forum, and invitations to other countries could follow, according to media reports.
Critics say the G7 operates as an elite club of wealthy countries. Looking to appear less aloof and more inclusive, the G7 has been inviting other international leaders for a number of years, hoping to bolster consensus on key issues, such as Ukraine and ties with China.
Italy holds the rotating presidency of the G7 for this year and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said African development would be the main item in the discussions, along with tackling the dangers posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Energy and migration are other concerns of the Italian premier with North Africa.
The European Union has inked agreements with Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Mauritania to fight illegal migration. It is said to be pondering similar agreements with Morocco and Algeria.
European legislators on Wednesday approved a revamped migration system that the pro-EU political centre pledges would reduce irregular arrivals as it seeks to stem gains by the far right ahead of the Union’s parliamentary election in June.
It aims to reduce the times for security and asylum procedures at external EU borders, and increase returns to cut unwanted immigration from the Middle East and Africa, a high priority on the Union’s agenda.
