The Group of Seven (G7) will hold its Nov. 9-10 foreign ministers meeting in Paris after moving it from Marseille, putting the talks alongside the Paris Peace Forum, Reuters reported.
Reuters said participants received word of the change in a correspondence, and three diplomats confirmed the move. The notice said the overlapping schedule would put heavy demands on services for delegations, from staffing and security to equipment, lodging and transport. Both events had been set for Nov. 9-10 for several months, Reuters reported, with no indication earlier in the week that the G7 venue would change.
Reuters listed France, Germany, the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain and Italy as G7 participants, alongside the European Union.
Student demonstrations have widened since September, while French security personnel have faced pressure. Protests were continuing Thursday. Demonstrations in several cities on Oct. 17 involved rioting, looting and violent clashes with police. Marseille saw some of the worst violence, Reuters reported.
France’s Foreign Ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment, Reuters said. The G7 meeting and Paris Peace Forum are scheduled for Nov. 9-10.
