G7 summit begins in Italy

Rome May 26 (IANS) The two-day G7 summit that will focus on issues surrounding security and growth began on Friday in Italy.

Those participating in the Taormina summit include German Chancellor Angela Merkel Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron along with the Prime Ministers of Italy Japan and the UK Paolo Gentiloni Shinzo Abe and Theresa May respectively Efe news reported.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk will be representing the European Union at the summit.

The summit is being held at the iconic Taormina theatre. After the opening ceremony the leaders will pose for a G7 family photo.

The agenda of the first day includes three working sessions that will start around midday and focus on foreign policy international security economy and sustainable development.

In the evening the leaders will attend a concert at the theatre by Milan s La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra and then dine with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Timeo hotel.

The seaside town of Taormina located between the Ionian coast and the Etna volcano has been in lockdown for the summit and security has been beefed up massively with almost 10 000 military personnel on the streets.

--IANS
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