Rome The G20 calendar does not actually allow any deviations. The summits of heads of departments and ministers are lashed down months in advance, the locations carefully selected, the topics discussed in advance dozen of times. And yet on Tuesday the heads of state and government of the 20 largest industrialized and emerging countries sat down virtually for more than two hours to talk about a global hot spot: Afghanistan.
It was a heartfelt wish for Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who is holding the G20 presidency this year. He is too preoccupied with the humanitarian crisis, the responsibility of Europe and the Western countries for the suffering of the local population. Intervening there is “a duty” for Draghi. Even if the meeting, unlike the other technical summits, does not end with a final declaration signed by everyone: Draghi regards the meeting as a success. “I saw a great willingness to act,” said the 74-year-old in an early evening press conference – and celebrated this as the “return of multilateralism”.
The G20 countries have agreed on a common direction. You want to provide a coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis through the United Nations. International donors such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should also act under the UN umbrella, and the details will be worked out in the coming weeks. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen increased the promised aid payments for the Afghan population and neighboring countries to around one billion euros at the start of the summit.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi: “Women’s rights thrown back by two decades”
Draghi made it clear that keeping in touch with the Taliban is inevitable. “But that has nothing to do with political recognition.” The regime is judged for its actions, not for its words. The Taliban did not form an inclusive government, as originally announced. “Women’s rights have been thrown back by two decades,” criticized Draghi.
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Angela Merkel sounded similar after the summit switch. The question of political recognition does not arise. “Nevertheless, there should and must be talks,” declared the Chancellor. Of course, there is no “very simple delimitation” as to whether international aid will ultimately also stabilize the Taliban. “But to watch 40 million people fall into chaos because neither electricity can be supplied nor a financial system exists, that cannot and must not be the goal of the international community,” warned Merkel.
With his special summit, Draghi also wanted to show that the G20 is not just a place for economic issues. It is also a forum for world politics. And Italy is right in the middle, as the new diplomatic heavyweight in Europe.
Draghi’s invitation was followed not only by Merkel and von der Leyen, but also by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Russia, on the other hand, only sent the deputy foreign minister to the conference, while China at least sent foreign minister Wang Yi. Both countries play an important role in solving the crisis: early on they offered their support to the radical rulers of the Hindu Kush.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang: Lift sanctions
Wang then also swerved on the summit. He called for the lifting of all sanctions against Afghanistan. The G20 should “let the Afghan people decide their fate,” the state television quoted him as saying. Forcing “ideology and military intervention” on a country to interfere in internal affairs would only lead to constant turmoil and “grave humanitarian calamity”.
Qatar was also invited to the summit, for good reason: The talks between representatives of the USA and the Taliban took place in Doha. The desert state could also play an important role in maintaining the connection to Kabul airport. “If the airport does not stay open, international aid is not possible,” emphasized Draghi. There are still many who want to leave the country. People would also have to be flown out from neighboring countries.
In a good two and a half weeks, the heads of state and government will meet again – then physically in Rome. It is the final meeting in this year’s G20 calendar. Because Draghi was able to bring the topic of Afghanistan forward, there is now more space for other points: the global minimum taxation of companies, climate protection, the global vaccination campaign.
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