Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani convened with G7 Foreign Ministers and the High Representative of the EU at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024.
Secretary Blinken opened the meeting by highlighting the importance of the G7 as a coordinating committee for leading democracies. He acknowledged Italy's leadership under Antonio Tajani, particularly in addressing critical global issues such as Russia's aggression against Ukraine, challenges in the Middle East, and collaborative efforts in the Indo-Pacific region. Blinken noted that the G7's work complements NATO's initiatives, which were recently celebrated during a summit marking NATO's 75th anniversary.
"The summit declaration that came out yesterday shows strong convergence among all NATO members – including, of course, the G7 members – on dealing effectively with Russian aggression against Ukraine," Blinken stated. He emphasized ongoing partnerships beyond NATO to address current global challenges.
Foreign Minister Tajani expressed gratitude for being hosted in Washington and welcomed David as a new member of their group. "Congratulations for your victory in the election," he said. Tajani stressed the importance of unity within the G7 for defending democracy, rule of law, and freedom worldwide.
Tajani identified peace and stability in the Middle East as a key discussion point while reiterating support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia. "We will back Zelenskyy and Ukraine," he affirmed. Tajani called for continued dialogue with other nations to promote peace and uphold democratic values.
The meeting underscored G7’s role not only as a political organization but also as a bastion of democracy, focusing on immediate concerns such as Middle Eastern stability and defense cooperation.
