G7 to issue action plan to fight extremism

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) aim to issue a counter-extremism action plan as the two-day meeting closes on Friday (May 26), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

At the end of the full day meeting, Abe, the chair of G7 in 2016, welcomed his guests to a cocktails event while sharing a few ruined Buddhist art pieces that have been restored in Japan.

“At the working dinner after this event we are going to discuss ways to counter terrorism including the issue of culture property. As an outcome of our discussions, our intention is to issue an action plan on countering terrorism and violent extremism containing concrete measures to be taken by the G7,” Abe told the leaders.

Protecting cultural heritage from being sabotaged by militants groups is one of the ways to help to stop funding the militants groups’ operation, added Abe, whose view was echoed by French President.

The leaders are in Japan for an annual meeting discussing issues ranging from economy and trade to counter-terrorism and maritime security.