G20: great stage for tough issues

The Russian city of St. Petersburg is ready to host the G20 summit. Besides treating the ailing state of the world economy, the Syrian conflict threatens to break into the agenda. As if it were an omen, sun illuminated St. Petersburg on the Baltic. It is the city that gave birth to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and shortly before the G20 summit, shining in its entire splendor to host a key meeting between emerging and industrialized countries. A scenario almost perfect if not for the difficult situation in which the world finds itself.

 

Will Syria on the agenda?

You could say that the book is something of destiny. When the G8 met in St. Petersburg in 2006, began to escalate the conflict in the Middle East with the second Lebanon war. In the meeting, they spent a lot of time talking about this conflict. But in the end, the result was only one sterile paper and war continued.

As then, now is the Syrian conflict which threatens to dominate the agenda. Something that the Russian president will try to avoid. Get this forum in a line unit in view of the conflicting positions on Syria seems impossible. With Russia, China, USA, Britain and France in the G20 are five countries with veto power in the Security Council of United Nations. But it will be Turkey, which fears for his safety, and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, relations between Putin and Barack Obama are not at their best, with patent cooling since the Snowden case.

Before the summit Obama had scheduled a visit to Moscow, appointment subsequently canceled by the White House. So far there is no evidence of a bilateral meeting in the framework of the G20. Although Putin has already made clear its position following recent differences on Syria. If U.S. President provides convincing evidence of the use of poison gas by Syrian troops, will rethink their position and adopt the UN mandate for intervention, Putin recently declared to the Agency AP and First Russian channel.

Ailing Economy

Syria interfere on the agenda, will not prevent the global economy is the main issue for attendees. A state economy that shows little hope. While some improvement is recorded, and processes are sighted take new risks. While at the last summit in Los Cabos (Mexico) the European crisis was in the spotlight, now both the U.S. as the European Union suggests a positive trend. However, the U.S. announcement of the end of cheap money may cause investors to flee emerging countries with serious consequences drastically devalue currencies and a boom that threatens to end, in addition to having to face serious internal problems.

With these issues in the first order for the participants, the agenda will not leave much room for debate. While dinner on Thursday will be devoted to new strategies for development, as a final document is provided an action plan for growth and jobs. Finally, will also be world trade, an issue that, as always, end with demands to remove protectionist measures. Interestingly, under the protection measures maximum security forces of President Putin, with a sealed city by land, sea and air.