U.S. Discusses Russia's WTO Accession, Japan TPP at G-8 Summit
On May 26-27, 2011, President Obama joined Russian President Medvedev and Japanese Prime Minister Kan in bilateral meetings at the annual G-8 Leaders’ Summit in France, to discuss, among other issues, Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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U.S. & Russia to Work on Concluding Process of Russia's WTO Accession
In the bilateral meeting between President Obama and Russian President Medvedev, the Presidents discussed and emphasized the necessity of improving economic cooperation between their countries and of stepping up Russia’s accession to the WTO. President Obama stated that the U.S. and Russia have established working groups which have been working intensively around the issue of Russian accession to the WTO and that as a result of these talks, the Presidents agreed to instruct their teams in hopes to finally conclude the accession process.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/25/11 news, 11032502, for BP summary of President Obama affirming his support for Russia's accession to the WTO.)
Japan's Decision on TPP Negotiations Has been Delayed
In the bilateral meeting between President Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Kan, Kan stated that Japan originally intended to make a decision on whether or not it would join the TPP negotiations in June, but there has been a delay in this schedule because of the March 2011 earthquake. However, he stated that he would like to make Japan's stance on the TPP negotiations in the near future.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/16/11 news, 11051609, for BP summary of Japan delaying its decision on whether or not it would join the TPP negotiations.)
G-8 Leaders Agreed to Cooperate in Trade Liberalization, Food Security, Etc.
The President and other leaders1 at the G-8 summit agreed to closely cooperate on the following global priorities:
Liberalization of global trade. Reconfirmed their commitment to keep markets open and to work together to find a path forward for the liberalization of global trade.
Common approach to security. Reaffirmed their commitment to a common approach to solving the world’s most pressing security challenges, including combating terrorism, drug trafficking, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Renewed G-8 partnership with Africa. President Obama and other G-8 Leaders met with the leaders of seven African countries (Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Niger, and Senegal) to discuss common approaches to tackling the continent’s most pressing economic and security challenges.
Middle East, Africa action plan. Announced an action plan to support democratization and economic modernization in the Middle East and North Africa.
Climate change a priority. Emphasized that addressing climate change remains a top priority and committed to implementing the undertakings made in Copenhagen and Cancun to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable growth. Discussed drivers of economic growth in the U.S. and around the world, including innovation, green growth, and the role of the Internet, and agreed to work together to promote strong, sustainable, and balanced global growth.
Promote nuclear safety. Committed to promoting the highest levels of nuclear safety in the wake of the nuclear accident in Japan.
Global food security. Emphasized mutual accountability of both G-8 and African countries for our respective commitments, as well as the importance of aid effectiveness. The 2011 G-8 Accountability Report was released prior to this Summit and details progress, both collectively and individually, in the areas of food security and global health.
U.S. to Host G-8 Summit in 2012
President Obama stated that he looks forward to welcoming G-8 Leaders to the U.S. in 2012 as the next year's G-8 host.
1Heads of state and government from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, Russia, and the European Union
President Obama and President Medvedev's remarks are available here.
President Obama and Prime Minister Kan's remarks are available here.
Fact sheet on G-8 Summit is available here.
Additional documents are available on the White House website, available here.
State Deptartment fact sheet on the bilateral meeting and agreements with Russia is available here.