G7 Summit calls for help for countries hosting refugees

By Sinan Polat and Tevfik Duru

ISE-SHIMA, Japan

A concluding statement from the last day of the G7 Summit has highlighted the need for an increase in urgent help for countries hosting refugees.

In a declaration following a two-day summit in the Japanese resort of Ise-Shima, the world's seven leading industrial nations called Friday for an international effort to deal with the large-scale global effects of mass migration.

"It is intended that urgent and long-term action responding to the needs of those hosting refugees and displaced persons must be undertaken," it said.

"With the number of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and vulnerable migrants at its highest level since the Second World War, the G7 recognizes the ongoing large scale movements of migrants and refugees as a global challenge which requires a global response, in full respect for human rights and in accordance with applicable international law.

"The international community should therefore increase its efforts towards conflict prevention, stabilization, and post-conflict peacebuilding and focus on finding solutions in order to reduce poverty, promote peace, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights, support inclusive economic growth and improve the delivery of basic services."

Turkey’s is currently sheltering more three million refugees fleeing wars in Syria and Iraq, Foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a meeting Thursday

The G7 statement also focused on events in Syria, calling on all parties and their backers to fully implement a nationwide Cessation of Hostilities.

We condemn in the strongest terms violations of the Cessation of Hostilities, especially in and around Aleppo, by the Syrian regime and reiterate that parties must cease indiscriminate attacks on civilians," it said.

"We expect Russia and Iran to urge the regime to comply with renewed cessation and to stop its attacks directed at civilians, and urge all parties to the cessation to abide by the terms of the cessation."

The G7 called on all parties -- "notably the Syrian regime" -- to immediately allow humanitarian agencies rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access in Syria.

It highlighted that aid should specifically be allowed to enter besieged areas and hard to reach places, and called for the release of all arbitrarily detained persons, including women and children.

"We are committed to supporting displaced persons and their host communities and to working towards a long-term, sustainable post-conflict stabilization and rehabilitation of Syria and to eradicating conditions conducive to violent extremism," the statement underlined.

G7 leaders also expressed concerns over territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas, where China has been taking more actions, in the process angering several Southeast Asian nations.

It reiterated its commitment to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and to respecting the freedom of navigation and overflight.

*Anadolu Agency correspondents Fatjon Prroni and Leyla Karayilan contributed to this report from Ankara.