Canadian foreign minister calls for G7 unity on Middle East de-escalation, Strait of Hormuz reopening, and protecting civilian lives ahead of key meeting.
ABBAYE DES VAUX-DE-CERNAY: Canada is urging its G7 allies to adopt a collective stance advocating for de-escalation in the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasised the need for unity ahead of a meeting of the group’s top diplomats.
Anand told AFP she had engaged with all impacted regional countries and G7 members. The goal is to ensure a common push for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The vital trade waterway has been virtually closed by Iranian forces during the conflict. This closure has contributed to a spike in global energy prices.
“We must continue to use diplomatic channels to be sure there is a common view not just for a de-escalation but to mitigate the economic shock,” Anand said. She pointed to existing “problems in the global provisioning chain.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will join the talks on the meeting’s second day. This marks his first trip abroad since the war began.
The G7 presidency, held by France this year, will issue a statement instead of a final joint communique. A diplomatic source, who asked not to be named, confirmed this arrangement.
“For Canada it’s very important to have a de-escalation and a opening of the Strait of Hormuz and also to continue to avoid the loss of civilian lives,” Anand stated. She described this as Canada’s primary objective.
“The G7 is a multilateral organisation and we will have the conversation here,” she added.
