Rome July 08: Steps for recovery of the global economy affected by the downturn and reforms of the international financial architecture will dominate discussions at the summit of G8 leaders with those of the G5 ‘outreach’ countries, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, here on Thursday.
The leaders of major economies will also discuss crucial matters relating to international trade and issues of climate change ahead of the Copenhagen summit next year.
First the leaders of the G5 outreach countries, including India, China, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico, which is heading the grouping now, will have a meeting.
There will be a joint statement at the end of the meeting and the G5 leaders will carry forward the discussions with the G8 leaders on Thursday.
G8 comprises the U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Russia, Canada and Italy which is hosting the summit.
Only three months ago leaders of G20 met in London and decided on measures including injection of trillions of dollars to pump prime the global economy.
Thursday’s meeting will review the progress in this regard.
Indian officials point out that the meetings in Italy are not a negotiating forum either on WTO issues or those relating to climate change.
–PTI