The very first summit of the most industrialized states was held in Rambouillet in 1975. However, the name G7 became official in 1976, when Canadian participants joined the representatives of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the US. The transformation into G8 was formally made possible in 1998, during the Birmingham summit. Economic declarations and summit communiqués are the most important documents to come out of the summits. They include recommendations for members of the group and they also contain proposals directed to the regions or the particular states. Even though it is economic matters which are the major leaders' main interests during the summits, the political dimension of the meetings, especially in terms of its global aspects, is also very important to the international environment. The key objective of this article is to present the attitude of the G7/G8 towards the following problems: transnational crime, especially that in connection with illicit drugs and bribery, international terrorism, nuclear safety, arms control, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and UN reforms. The areas of the science, social and cultural cooperation have also been included. The paper attempts to sum up the involvement of the G7/G8 in all these issues during the period of more than 30 years in which it has been active. Importance has been placed on introducing the most decisive initiatives and common projects, linked with the process of both building the new institutional bodies and releasing treaties, conventions and acts. The effectiveness of particular initiatives is a more complex matter and requires further research.
The article describes the achievements of Martti Ahtisaari as a politician, especially as a mediator in international conflicts, an activity for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. The author presents Ahtisaari's involvement in the peace building process on three continents - with special attention on his work in Namibia, Indonesia and Kosovo. The negotiator's connections with intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions are underscored. The politician's activity as president of Finland is also highlighted in the aspect of his views on European integration. Additionally, the necessary qualities of a negotiator are discussed. The author makes ample use of Ahtisaari's own writings.
The very first summit of the most industrialized states was held in Rambouillet in 1975. However, the name G7 became official in 1976 when Canadian participants joined the representatives of France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the US. The transformation into G8 was formally made possible in 1998 during the Birmingham summit, after a few years of negotiations and common work in the forum along with Russia (G7 plus Russia). Economic declarations and summit communiqués are the most important documents from the summits. They include recommendations for members of the group, and they also contain proposals directed to the regions of the world. The key objective of this article is to present the attitude of the G7/G8 towards the developing states. All the problems were analyzed mainly from the economical perspective. However, some political, social and institutional aspects were also included. The relations between North and South have been present since the first cycle of the G7 summits, but the execution of its plans and projects have become more effective since the end of the second millennium, especially in the debts initiatives and the coordination of the official development assistance. The paper tries to sum up the engagement of the G7/G8 into the problems of the South during the period of more than 30 years of its activity. The effectiveness of particular initiatives is more complex matter and it requires further research.
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