Michael Kapeller's famous photos for the German news agency dpa, from the G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Bavaria in 2015, they depict then-host Chancellor Angela Merkel chatting casually, gesticulating with former U.S. President Barack Obama, who is sitting with his arms wide open on a bench.
Behind them, the idyllic landscape of the Bavarian Alps. From tomorrow, Monday, to Tuesday, the current leaders of the G7 countries will be in the same setting. It is doubtful, however, whether the atmosphere will permit similar images.
Among the priorities that Germany had set for its presidency were economic stability, health crisis preparedness, sustainable investment and partnerships for a sustainable planet. It is clear that before the first half of 2022 is even completed, reality has highlighted different needs - even a new world order.
The only thing that remains the same in both German Summits is the ... spirit of Vladimir Putin. The Russian president was excluded from the G8 in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and now his invasion of Ukraine has upset all planning, affecting global politics.
At this year's summit, however, the German presidency, in addition to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has also invited leaders of countries that tread in... two boats because of their economic ties with Russia, such as South Africa and India. The two countries abstained on the UN resolution condemning Russia. But the German reasoning is that these countries should not be driven further into the arms of the Kremlin, but that they have an important role to play in the global effort to protect the climate. Argentina, Indonesia - chair of the G20 - and Senegal, chair of the African Union, have also been invited to the meeting.
Absent but... omnipresent Putin
Vladimir Putin will therefore be absent from the three-day summit in Bavaria, but is expected to dominate the confidential talks. The course of the war in Ukraine, the arms race, sanctions against Russia, NATO's stance and above all the crises that threaten global food security and European energy security will occupy the leaders of France, Germany, the United States, Japan, Italy, Canada and the United Kingdom.In a meeting that has raised high expectations for substantial and not only communicative results.
For the security of the high officials, Slos Elmau and the surrounding area have become a fortress: A 16-kilometre-long fence, a helipad to which the leaders will arrive from Munich airport in police helicopters, 18,000 police officers, border controls to prevent the entry of extreme protesters and airspace surveillance are just some of the measures that have been planned and will cost the organisers more than €180 million, at least 50 million more than was allocated for security in 2015.
Draconian security measures
Significantly, 260 containers have been set up on the Olympic ski slope in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, used by the police, 25 prosecutors and seven judges. Fifty of them can also be used as cells. The organisers are apparently not forgetting the violent events at the 2017 G20 Summit in Hamburg.
Since last Sunday, the police have already cordoned off an area of at least four acres around the hotel, and checks are constantly being carried out on drivers and pedestrians. Residents in the area were informed in good time of the travel restrictions, including which items they had to remove from their yards, while schools will remain closed and classes will be held online.
The summit itself could of course be held online, as it has been for the past two years due to the pandemic. Or it could at least be held at the Chancellery in Berlin. "After the years of the pandemic, however, it is important to meet in person and talk to each other in an intimate atmosphere, such as the Schloss Elmau," said government spokesman Stephen Hebbestreit in response to a question.
The results will show whether the effort and cost were worth it in the end - on the war in Ukraine, the anti-pandemic measures, the economic, energy, climate and refugee crises. If, instead of declarations of intent, there are concrete decisions or agreements, the meeting in Upper Bavaria will prove more timely than ever.
Source: APE-MPA
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