G20
annual summits have become a meaningless ritual. The one taking place today and
tomorrow in the delightful city of Brisbane, Australia, is no exception. Just a
few grandiose statements and a handful of leaders that are pretty preoccupied
with their own home problems. The statements on global issues are just the
usual staff, prepared by the aides and delivered for the gallery.
But
this year´s meeting takes place at a time of great tensions. These tensions are
now much bigger than the dramatic situations in the Middle East or in parts of
Africa. To their complexities we should add new ones, in other corners of the
world. These are dangerous times. One cannot ignore the seriousness of the
dispute with Russia. And one should not ignore the potential for armed conflict
in East Asia.
And
these new realities were there in Brisbane and have made the atmosphere of the
summit much heavier. Interestingly, Brisbane is used to heavy skies. So, its
choice as the venue for the 2015 Summit of the G20 ended up by being rather
symbolic.
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