Brazil says G20 sherpas agree to avoid geopolitical issues

Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio, Secretary of Economic and Financial Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sherpa of the G20 of Brazil, talks during a news conference ahead the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 20, 2024. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo

RIO DE JANEIRO - G20 diplomats have agreed to avoid prickly geopolitical issues during the summit of the world's largest economies in November, host Brazil's sherpa said on Friday.

In February, finance leaders from G20 failed to agree on a joint statement in a meeting in Brazil, with divisions over the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Diplomat Mauricio Lyrio, Brazil's G20 sherpa, told journalists on Friday that an agreement was reached with his counterparts in the group, following "really tough talks" during a preparatory meeting in Rio de Janeiro this week.

"What we got in this meeting was a deal to how to proceed from now on, so the ministers can focus on their specific themes," he told journalists. "Look for agreements in your areas. You do not need to deal with geopolitics anymore".

Later this month, economic leaders and central bank chiefs from the group will meet in Rio de Janeiro, where the annual summit of G20 leaders is scheduled for November 18-19.

Last year, the G20 summit in New Delhi ended with a leaders' declaration that avoided condemning Russia for the war, although it highlighted the human suffering the conflict had caused and called on all states not to use force to grab territory.

- (Reuters)