G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, 10-11 April 2017

The annual meeting of foreign ministers of the G7 Group was held in Lucca, Italy on 10-11 April 2017. This meeting focused on issues relating to security and foreign policy across the globe, both physical and in the cyberspace. Ministers focused on the common fight against terrorism, the situation in Libya and Ukraine, and the current worrying developments in North Korea.

The event took place in the aftermath of increased tension relating to a strike by the United States against a Syrian airbase, responding to a chemical attack allegedly conducted by the Syrian government against its own citizens in its own territory on the 4 April 2017.

The G7 foreign ministers failed to agree on a coordinated call for further targetted sanctions to be imposed against Syria and its key ally Russia.

• Primary Source

Italy: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 05.04.17: G7 Ministers Meeting in Lucca on 10-11 April http://www.esteri.it/mae/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/ministeriale-g-7-a-lucca-il-10.html

EU: EEAS: News, 10.04.17: High Representative Mogherini in Lucca, Italy for G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/24525/

EurActiv, 11.04.17: Western pressure builds on Russia to break ties with Assad http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/western-pressure-builds-on-russia-to-break-ties-with-assad/

The Guardian, 11.04.17: White House warns of potential US 'red line' over Syria barrel bomb attacks https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/10/syria-top-of-agenda-as-g7-foreign-ministers-meet-in-italy

Reuters, 10.04.17: G7 ministers look to persuade Russia to abandon Syria's Assad http://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-foreign-idUSKBN17C003

BBC News, 11.04.17: Syria war: G7 rejects sanctions on Russia after 'chemical attack' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39565700

Deutsche Welle, 10.04.17: Syria, Russia to dominate G7 meeting amid questions over US strategy http://p.dw.com/p/2ay01

Website: Italian G7 Presidency 2017 http://www.g7italy.it/en

Politico, 11.04.17: G7 ministers reject UK call for Russia, Syria sanctions http://www.politico.eu/article/g7-ministers-reject-uk-call-for-russia-syria-sanctions/

Politico, 11.04.17: G7 talks tough to Putin but no new sanctions http://www.politico.eu/article/g7-talks-tough-to-putin-but-no-new-sanctions/

US: State Deparment: Secretary of State's Remarks, 11.04.17: https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2017/04/269693.htm

ECFR: Commentary, 11.04.17: Why the G7 can’t agree a response to Syria http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_why_the_g7_cant_agree_a_response_to_syria_7271

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