The European Union at the G8 Summit in Camp David (May 18-19, 2012): "Acting Together"

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year's G8 summit under the motto "Acting Together" is chaired by U.S. President Obama in Camp David and takes place back-to-back to the NATO summit in Chicago from May 20-21, one month before the G20 summit in Mexico. The European Union is a full member of the G8 and is represented by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

The European Union comes to Camp David to contribute actively to finding common solutions to most pressing global challenges on the agenda, ranging from the world's economy to food security, from energy and climate to regional and political developments and security issues.

"I look forward to this next G8 meeting in Camp David," said President Barroso. "The EU will come to the G8 with a clear message: Europe is determined to stay the course, as it pursues its comprehensive strategy to exit the crisis and return to growth. A twin-track approach of sound public finances and growth-boosting measures are the key ingredients of our response. This is the only way to restore confidence. We will also discuss climate and energy, food security and topical international issues, such as Afghanistan and the Arab Spring. The EU is taking decisive action to foster sustainable development, increase agricultural resilience and reduce poverty, promoting democratic values and the rule of law and enhancing international stability. The EU is ready to rise to global challenges with responsibility and solidarity, in the G8 and beyond."

President Van Rompuy stated: "This G8 Summit comes at a time of significant economic and political challenges around the world. The intense preparatory work carried out by the U.S. Presidency will allow us to focus in concrete terms on the most pressing global issues. Economy, energy, food security, foreign and security issues, will be the focus of our deliberations in Camp David. The EU is fully engaged in the G8 process and is ready to give its contribution on all the issues on the agenda, in particular to support a strong growth and job creation in our economies."

Starting with the global economy, European Commission President Barroso and European Council President Van Rompuy will also explain the state of play of the EU's response to the economic crisis.

President Barroso and President Van Rompuy will underline trade as a key source for growth. They will call for strengthening the multilateral system, for a continued fight against protectionist measures and for protection of investments.

The EU has been pioneering global climate action and will continue to do so. The Presidents will underline the need for strong and urgent action, in the UN context, to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions to stay on track to meet the internationally agreed objectives, and to make progress in implementing the Durban Platform.

On food security, the EU hopes that this summit will build on previous progress, notably the L'Aquila Food Security Initiative from 2010, to which the EU made the largest pledge – close to USD 4 billion out of the total USD 22 billion. It has met and exceeded this pledge in only 2 years. Moreover, the EU Food Facility, announced by the EU at the G8 Summit in Japan in 2008, has helped to feed 50 million people in 50 countries around the world, through over 200 projects. While not losing sight of all those who still need our immediate support, the international community should move into building resilient agricultural systems as part of our long-term response to global hunger, including through stronger, but responsible private-sector investment in agriculture.

President Van Rompuy and President Barroso will contribute actively to the G8's focus on regional and political developments and security issues, particularly on the economic transition in Afghanistan after 2014 and on the Deauville Partnership, launched at the 2011 G8 Summit.

For more information:

President Barroso's G8 website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/g20/index_en.htm

President Van Rompuy's G8 website:
http://www.european-council.europa.eu/the-president/summits-with-third-countries?lang=en&summit=201205180

U.S. Department of State G8 website:
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ecosum/2012g8/index.htm

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/euHvr and http://www.twitter.com/EC_live

Video material: http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/ and http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm

www.EUintheUS.org & @EUintheUS

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States