(VOVworld) – The G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting closed in Hiroshima, Japan, has been an opportunity for Japan to advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons and reject acts threatening peace and stability.
The Hiroshima Declaration reiterates the commitment to a safer world for everyone and promotes efforts for a nuclear-free world. The Declaration criticizes extremist jihadist attacks in Turkey, France, Belgium, and Nigeria, condemns North Korea’s nuclear tests and missile launches, and protests unilateral actions to change the status quo in maritime areas in the Asia-Pacific region.
Message for a nuclear-free world
This year’s summit was attended by the foreign ministers of all member countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and the US. John Kerry has been the first US Foreign Secretary to visit Hiroshima. Kerry and other foreign ministers visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which displays remnants of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. The visit is considered a historic step in the effort for a world free of nuclear weapons.
The meeting took place amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. After a number of missile launches, North Korea has warned of its possible use of chemical weapons to retaliate sanctions by the UN, the US, and South Korea. North Korea also said it will reinforce its nuclear arsenal and is ready to use its nuclear weapons any time and launch pre-emptive strikes if threatened by any enemy. US surveillance satellites have detected signs of North Korea’s preparations for an unprecedented ballistic missile test with a range that could reach American territory. North Korea also said it successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile engine, which can be used to attack the US in retaliation for the joint military exercise between the US and South Korea.
The rise of terrorism, particularly the Islamic State, has threatened the world with a possible use of nuclear weapons. Intelligence sources say IS’s use of chemical weapons tends to increase. IS has used mustard gas left over from World War 1. In February, the CIA accused IS for using chemical weapons, including mustard gas for the first time in Iraq and Syria. On April 4 the Syrian government accused IS of firing artillery shells carrying mustard gas into its military bases in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour.
G7 foreign ministers have pledged to complete the G7 plan of action, which will be approved by G7 leaders in May. The organizing of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hiroshima was a demonstration of their commitment and that the world’s top concern over political security is nuclear weapons. Hiroshima and Nagasaki witnessed one of the world’s worst war crime and have become a reminder of the danger of nuclear weapons.
Unilateral actions at sea rejected
East Sea disputes were included in the meeting’s agenda and the Hiroshima Declaration. G7 foreign ministers agreed on the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes. Japan said it hoped G7 foreign ministers would reject unilateral actions to change the status quo in maritime areas and persuade the West to have a stronger voice to represent Southeast Asian countries in the East Sea issue.
Although the Hiroshima Declaration does not directly target China, it criticizes China’s ambition in the East Sea. Recent confrontations in the East Sea, particularly between the US and China, have created growing concerns in the region and the world.
G7 cooperation has significantly impacted the global situation with the influence of the world’s 7 most powerful countries. The message of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting once again reflects the international community’s hope for a peaceful, stable world free of nuclear weapons.