Major challenges do not stop at national borders. And it will only be possible to find the right answers to the critical questions of our time if we work together, said Chancellor Angela Merkel in a government statement delivered in the German Bundestag. At the European Council meeting last week, the EU heads of state and government sent a strong signal, she added. And this is what she also expects of the G20 summit which will be taking place on 7 and 8 July in Hamburg.

EU signals confidence and vigour

The most recent European Council meeting on 22 and 23 June sent a signal of confidence and vigour, declared the Chancellor. "Europe can once again look to the future with renewed confidence." This is thanks, in particular to the excellent cooperation between France and Germany.

The European Council focused in particular on the role that Europe will play in future, Angela Merkel continued. Climate change, terrorism and migration do not stop at national borders, she stressed. "Whoever believes that the problems of this world can be resolved with isolationism and protectionism, is sadly mistaken."

Europe has proved that it can work together and find convincing solutions, said the Chancellor. Today, Europe’s economy has turned the corner and is doing better again. All 28 member states expect to see positive growth this year. Unemployment in the EU is at its lowest level for eight years. And according to the figures of the European Commission, ten million jobs have been created EU-wide since 2013. "These are achievements that hardly anyone would have though Europe capable of only a few years ago," stressed the Chancellor.

G20 more important than ever

The G20 heads of state and government are to meet in Hamburg on 7 and 8 July. The Chancellor aims to see the G20 summit send a signal of its determination. The 20 leading industrialised nations and emerging economies must demonstrate that they have understood their major responsibility for the world, and that they accept this responsibility, she pointed out.

"The world is turbulent and has become more divided," warned the Chancellor. For these reasons the G20 will be focusing on terrorism, climate change and protectionism when leaders meet in Hamburg. "None of these challenges stops at some national border today," declared Angela Merkel.

This is why she expects the G20 summit in Hamburg to signal determination. The G20 leaders must demonstrate "that they have understood their major responsibility for the world and that they accept this responsibility". It will only be possible to find the right answers to the major questions of our time if we work together, she said. "We need the G20 more urgently than ever before," stressed Angela Merkel.

The G20, the 20 leading industrialised states and emerging economies together represent around two thirds of the world’s population, four-fifths of global GDP and three quarters of global trade.

Climate action is non-negotiable

"Since the decision of the United States of America, to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, we are more determined that ever before to make it a success," stated Angela Merkel. Germany too must do its homework in the field of climate change mitigation; a lot of work still lies ahead. "We want to master this existential challenge and we can master it, and we will not wait until the last people in the world are finally convinced by the crushing weight of the scientific evidence of climate change. In other world, the climate agreement is not reversible and it is non-negotiable, " underscored the Chancellor.