Tag Archives: G8
25 March 2014
Meeting in the margin of the Nuclear Security Summit, the G7 adopted a declaration which states that Russia’s actions in recent weeks were not consistent with the ‘shared beliefs and shared responsibilities’ that were the reason why the Group came together. The declaration also states that the ‘clear violation of international law is a serious challenge to the rule of law around the world and should be a concern for all nations.’ It recalls that in response to Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to demonstrate the determination to respond to these illegal actions, ‘individually and collectively we have imposed a variety of sanctions against Russia and those individuals and entities responsible.’ The declaration calls on Russia to take diplomatic avenues, and suspend the participation of the 7 states in the G8 until ‘Russia changes course’.
Source: EUROPEAN COMMISSION | STATEMENT/14/82 | THE HAGUE DECLARATION following the G7 meeting on 24 March | 24 March 2014
14 June 2013
The US is going to provide direct military aid to the Syrian opposition, the White House announced on Thursday 13 June after having concluded that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons. The announcement comes after repeated statements by the Obama administration that the use of chemical weapons would cross a red line and violate international norms.
The details of the aid to be provided were not revealed, but officials were reported saying small arms, ammunition and anti-tank weapons could be included. According to the deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes, the US is going to proceed on its own timeline but will take up the issue with allies in next week’s G8 summit. The US has previously said it preferred an endorsement by the UN on further action, but has suggested it’s decision would not depend on it.
Source: BBC | US says it will give military aid to Syria rebels
Source: The Guardian | US says it will arm Syrian rebels following chemical weapons tests
Source: Al Jazeera | US offers 'military support' to Syrian rebels
Source: El País | EE UU anuncia ayuda militar para los rebeldes sirios
12 June 2013
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has made curbing tax avoidance the central theme of next week’s G8 summit. In May, the G7 industrialized nations agreed on the need for collective action against tax avoidance, and the EU followed suit by promising action against aggressive tax planning used by multinationals to minimize their tax payments, but low-tax Austria is yet to confirm its participation in the scheme.
The promise for collective action comes after widespread public debate over corporate tax minimization policies and the publication of figures suggesting that multinational corporations use tax havens to deny developing economies revenues needed for public services. According to the OECD, developing countries lose three times more money to tax havens each year than they receive in aid. Recent reactions by developing nations, including treaty cancellations by Mongolia, however, are dangerous unilateral actions further stressing the need to reach agreement on how to deal with tax avoidance in the forthcoming G8 and G20 meetings, an OECD representative said to BBC.
Source: The Guardian | Cameron calls in tax havens ahead of G8 summit in June
Source: The Guardian | UK's top companies condemned for prolific use of tax havens
Source: The Guardian | G7 agrees action needed against tax evasion, says George Osborne
Source: The Guardian | Tax havens are entrenching poverty in developing countries
Source: BBC | EU leaders in drive against tax evasion at Brussels summit
Source: BBC | Osborne: G7 agree to target tax evasion and avoidance
Soruce: BBC | Tax avoidance: Developing countries take on multinationals
Source: ActionAid | Tax Justice Policy