Canadian Summit a Platform for German Chancellor to Discuss Middle East Tensions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to utilize the G7 summit in Canada to engage in in-depth discussions on the conflict between Israel and Iran. The recent military strikes by Israel on Iranian targets will be a prominent topic of discussion, Merz stated on the eve of his departure from Berlin on Sunday afternoon.
The German leader emphasized that the primary objective of the G7 summit would be to achieve a consensus on four key points. Central to these points is the need for Iran to forgo the development and possession of nuclear weapons, as it poses a threat to Israel, the Middle East and the international community as a whole. Merz also stressed that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens, citing the Iranian nuclear program as an existential threat to the state of Israel.
However, the Chancellor also emphasized the need to prevent the escalation of the conflict, calling on Iran to immediately cease the bombardment of civilian targets in Israel and for other countries in the region not to become a battleground. Germany is also preparing for the possibility that Iran may target Israeli or Jewish sites, Merz added.
In the midst of the conflict, the Chancellor emphasized the need for diplomacy to be re-established, with the German Foreign Minister in close contact with his regional counterparts. The G7 summit will also touch upon economic issues, with a focus on achieving a clear perspective for a trade agreement and discussing economic security, the supply of critical resources and cooperation on new technologies.
Merz also expressed a desire for clear statements from the G7 on the topic of migration. The Chancellor is scheduled to arrive in Calgary in the early hours of the morning, before proceeding to the G7 summit venue in Kananaskis, nestled in the Rocky Mountains. A meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is planned for Sunday, with the actual summit program running from Monday to Tuesday.