Top US diplomat urges G20 members to focus on economic cooperation

By Diyar Guldogan

ATLANTA, US (AA) - Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged G20 members on Friday to strengthen economic cooperation and focus on practical solutions to shared challenges during a welcome reception for foreign ministers in the US city of Atlanta.

Rubio told diplomats, including Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, gathered for the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, that countries should work together to build a stronger global economic future despite differences in their national interests.

"The economic challenges facing our countries are complex, and they are interconnected, because we all face these challenges. We must all work together to address them," he said.

He said the Trump administration wanted the G20 to concentrate on its core economic mission and deliver tangible results for member countries.

“Our interests may not always align, but we should always seek to work together to advance them when and where they do align,” he said.

Rubio highlighted the economic discussions held throughout the US’ G20 presidency, covering trade, fiscal and monetary policy, emerging technologies and energy.

He welcomed Poland's participation as a full participant in this year's G20 process.

"President (Donald) Trump believes their economic success and growing global influence is exactly what the G20 needs to tackle the major economic challenges we all face, and we're very excited to have them with us here today and this week," he said.

The US top diplomat thanked Atlanta for hosting the gathering, describing the US state of Georgia and the American South as regions where the country's economic future was taking shape.

Rubio also said he hoped the ministerial meeting would lay a strong foundation for the G20 Leaders’ Summit and help establish shared priorities for policies supporting long-term economic prosperity.

The two-day meeting is bringing together top diplomats from the world's leading economies. The gathering will be followed by the G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for Dec. 14-15 in Miami, Florida.

Diyar Güldoğan