Several key security questions remained unresolved as Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers neared the end of their Atlanta meeting, while European officials challenged Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over Ukraine, France 24 reported.
The U.S. Department of State said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the two-day meeting in Atlanta on Oct. 30-31 to prepare for the leaders’ summit. The department said Washington wanted G20 partners to discuss geopolitical risks to the global economy, including freedom of navigation, energy and food security, and supply chains.
At the opening plenary, Rubio urged members to strengthen economic resilience and safeguard markets, according to a State Department transcript. Reuters reported that at a Friday reception, he also called for G20 members to work together where their interests align.
France 24 reported that Rubio signed an Arctic cooperation agreement with Japan and South Korea and confirmed U.S. participation in the World Expo planned for Riyadh in 2030.
The broadcaster also said European ministers declined to pose alongside Lavrov for the traditional group photo. The issue had surfaced at the start of the meeting, which opened without a photo amid objections to Lavrov’s presence, as EconoTimes reported earlier. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said European partners would not pose with Lavrov, telling reporters, “There is no normality with Russia.”
The State Department scheduled the G20 leaders’ summit for Dec. 14-15 in Miami.
