G20 foreign ministers ended two days of talks in Atlanta on October 31 without a joint communiqué, with divisions over Ukraine and Iran unresolved. Marco Rubio said participants agreed on the problems but differed over origins and solutions. The gathering prepared for December’s leaders’ summit near Miami amid disagreements over invitations and Russia’s participation.
Foreign ministers of the Group of Twenty (G20), the forum of major economies, ended their two-day Atlanta gathering on October 31 without a joint communiqué. Divisions over international crises, especially the wars in Ukraine and Iran, prevented agreement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chaired the meeting ahead of a leaders’ summit planned near Miami in December.[1], [2]
At the closing news conference, Rubio said participants agreed about the principal problems but differed over their origins and possible solutions. He said universally accepted solutions were not close, while arguing that governments were working together on some issues. Supply-chain disruption, energy markets, food security and maritime routes were among the subjects under discussion.[1]
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said countries involved in ongoing wars were sitting at the table, making a common position difficult. Poland attended as Washington’s guest despite not being a G20 member. The exclusion of member South Africa also drew objections. European representatives’ refusal to pose with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had already prompted cancellation of Friday’s group photograph.[1]
