"The G8 summit is an opportunity to find a worldwide solution to the increasingly pressing challenges that by now concern all of us, everywhere in the world": José Manuel Barroso, president of the EU Commission, is taking part in the G8 for the fourth time. This year, the summit (7-9 July) is chaired by Japan and takes place in Toyako (Hokkaido, Japan). The participants "will discuss the challenges of climate change, global economy and the rise in food and energy prices, asking for a coordinated worldwide solution". Barroso, on behalf of the EU, will ask to take "effective commitments" towards "an agreement on global climate change before 2009" and to "accomplish the Development Objectives of the Millennium", with special care for the poor countries. As to global economy, Barroso explained that he "will ask the G8 to send a strong message to insist on the need not to surrender to protectionist urges in trade relations and investments". As to the problem of food and energy prices, Barroso "will ask for appropriate short-, medium- and long-term solutions" and to try to find "structural solutions to structural problems, such as the world’s high dependency on fossil fuels".
