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International financial institutions are to provide some 20 billion dollars to support the process of reconstruction in Egypt and Tunisia. The main donors will be the G8 states. "It is, of course, a commitment for our countries," said the Chancellor, speaking on the second day of the summit.

Now, the pledges must be translated into action and the cash delivered to the people, she demanded. "Through the European Union we will be contributing 1.3 billion euros for the period 2011 to 2013." So as to put in place new, rapid, efficient structures in the EU, the Chancellor suggested establishing a special task force.

In this context, Germany has done all it can to promote a pact for employment, she continued. This should target, in particular, the provision of training and employment for young people. Germany aims to reschedule 300 million euros worth of Egypt’s debt, which is to go into training and employment projects.

Reviewing the safety of nuclear power plants

On the first day of the summit, the G8 states agreed on security reviews for nuclear power plants. The International Atomic Energy Association too is to be strengthened. "I am very pleased with what we have achieved here," said Angela Merkel, referring to the joint declaration of the G8 heads of state and government. "This marks major progress."

The situation varies enormously from one country to another. Angela Merkel also reported that Japan has made an unambiguous commitment to renewable energies, although they will continue to be dependent on nuclear energy for some time to come, as they say themselves. All in all great interest was shown during the G8 deliberations for the path to be taken by each state. "I am convinced that what I could report from Germany was very well received."

Germany on track for economic growth

The first discussions of the G8 heads of state and government focused above all on the situation of the global economy, said the Chancellor. She was able to report that Germany is on track for growth and that the employment situation is very good. "At an international level it was very interesting in particular that two thirds of our growth has been fuelled by domestic demand," said Angela Merkel. This means that growth is not purely export-driven, but that domestic consumption plays an important part. "This is a message that has been well received, against the backdrop of concern about possible trade imbalances."

Other issues on the agenda included climate change mitigation and free trade at international level. It will be very difficult to make progress with international negotiations, reckoned the Chancellor. "Above all at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in South Africa we want to ensure that the process is kept alive, that the commitments made by the individual countries are specified as far as possible, and that those countries that need support in the field of climate change mitigation continue to receive financial assistance from the industrialised nations in line with our recommendations."