Merkel says G8 should provide concrete support to north Africa

May 26, 2011, 8:40 GMT

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Thursday upon the Group of Eight (G8) to provide concrete support for democratic reforms in northern Africa and the Arab world, ahead of a summit in Deauville, France.

In a speech to the German parliament in Berlin, Merkel said it was a 'historic European responsibility' to support the people demanding democratic change in neighbouring regions.

The chancellor was later due to join the leaders of the United States, Russia, France, Britain, Japan, Italy, Canada in the French coastal town.

Germany wanted to encourage the move towards multi-party democracy, pluralism and a market economy in northern Africa and the Arab world, Merkel said.

'I therefore advocate that the G8 couples its support to the adherence of these very principles,' Merkel said.

Germany has already pledged 30 million euros (42 million dollars) this year to support democratic change, and plans to make a further 100 million euros available in the coming years, Merkel said.

The G8 summit was to include discussions with senior members of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to establish a 'significant, effective set of measures,' she said.

In particular, Merkel said it was important to create more jobs and apprenticeships for the many young people living in Tunisia and Egypt - 'concrete help for people who need a perspective.'

The chancellor also condemned the violence in Syria and pledged support for those pursuing democratic change across the region.

Merkel backed US President Barack Obama's call for a resumption of the Middle East peace process and warned that 'unilateral measures' would lead nowhere.

The G8 leaders were also due to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan for the first time since the Fukushima nuclear disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

Merkel stressed the role of the G8 in ensuring international nuclear security. As a consequence of Fukushima, Germany is expected to accelerate its nuclear phaseout after an expert panel presents its findings in the coming days.

'The security of using nuclear energy cannot be safeguarded with national decisions alone,' Merkel said. 'We need a test of security standards on the international level too.'

Merkel also said Germany, along with Britain, would urge G8 leaders to help reach a conclusion to the Doha round of world trade negotiations.

'Free world trade is the best market and growth engine we can imagine, of that we are convinced,' the chancellor said.

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