STRELNA, September 5 (RIA Novosti) – This year’s summit of the Group of 20 major economies opened on Thursday, just outside Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg.
While the summit is taking place amid intense international debates about possible intervention in the Syrian civil war, that issue is not on the official agenda, but it is expected to be discussed.
The main issues on the agenda are financial regulation and crises, as well as unemployment. The summit is being held in the 18th-century Constantine Palace, the same venue as the 2006 G8 summit.
Ahead of the summit, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy spoke in favor of a political solution to the Syrian civil war.
Russia at the summit is expect to address its priorities for its G20 presidency this year, including “growth through quality jobs and investment,” “growth through trust and transparency” and “growth through effective regulation,” according to the country’s official website for its presidency.
The G20 group comprises Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, China, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, Japan and the European Union.
