G7: Meeting moved from Marseille to Paris at short notice

Paris. Just a few days before the start of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, France moved the event from Marseille to Paris. The change of location was primarily for logistical and operational reasons, according to the French Foreign Ministry. The port city had been chosen as the conference location months ago. The high-level meeting on Monday and Tuesday next week will, among other things, focus on security at sea and in ports. The relocation just a few days beforehand is unusual.

At the meeting, the democratic economic powers want to focus on the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. Germany will be represented by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU). In addition to Germany and France, members of the G7 include Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada and the USA. Ukraine, among others, has been invited to the conference as a partner country.

The French Foreign Ministry also justified the change of location with the Paris Peace Forum on Wednesday and Thursday, which began immediately after the foreign ministers' meeting. “Choosing Paris ensures the smooth running of these two international events.”

The date for the Paris Peace Forum, like that of the foreign ministers' meeting, has been known for more than six months. In mid-October there were massive riots, looting and violence in France on the sidelines of demonstrations against, among other things, the high cost of living. Along with Paris, Marseille was one of the hotspots.