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Italy supports Canadian plans for a G20 summit, cooperation on Africa

Oct 15, 2004, 23:58

OTTAWA (AFP) - Italy expressed support for a Canadian initiative to hold a summit of developed, developing and middle income countries.


AFP/File Photo



Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, speaking to reporters after meeting with his Canadian counterpart Pierre Pettigrew, said Italy supported the G20 initiative, saying it could make an important role in preparing for next year's G8 summit in Britain.


The Group of 20, as proposed by Canada, groups together the Group of Eight industrialized nations (the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, Canada and Russia) plus the European Union Australia, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey.


The concerns to be tackled by the G20 include improving public health care in developing countries, combatting terrorism and reforming multilateral institutions.


Also, the G20 will also be concentrating on one of the main items on the G8 agenda -- helping African nations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, develop market economies and good governance.


With Pettigrew standing at his side, Frattini said Italy and Canada were united in seeking reform of the United Nations and its various agencies.


"This is not just about the Security council," said Frattini. "It's about getting greater efficiency and greater authority for the whole UN."


As far as the Security Council was concerned, Frattini called for "better geographical representation," to ensure more efficient representation for such continents as Europe, Africa and Asia.


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