Closing press conference at the g8 summit

Speech CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE G8 SUMMIT A transcript of the press conference given by the Prime Minister David Cameron at the G8 Summit in Deauville, France on Friday, 27 May 2011.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government This is the second G8 I’ve attended. The first focused very much on tackling deficits and

getting the economy growing and this Summit reaffirmed the importance of that - including of course the need to complete the Doha trade round. But this G8 focused predominantly on North

Africa and the Middle East, while also reporting back on aid. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA The big test for this G8 was whether we could respond to the momentous events we have seen in North

Africa and the Middle East. And I would argue that we have responded. I said at the outset it was essential for us to give a clear message to those countries. We will help you develop your

democracies. We will help you achieve greater freedom. We will help you build your economies and develop the political parties, free media, and the fair and reliable courts that are the

building blocks of what I call an open society. That is exactly what has been agreed. We agreed the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should for the first time start lending

to private enterprise in that region. The institution that helped to transform Eastern Europe now has a new mission. Every G8 country now stands ready to open its markets to countries in the

region committed to reform. This has been one of the most closed regions of the world to trade and investment. That is now going to change. And we promised the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia

that the international community would support their plans to create economic stability and prosperity for their people. This support will initially be available to Egypt and Tunisia but

will ultimately be there for any country in the region that embraces the path to democracy and reform - including, for example, Libya. The Partnership we agreed today has taken months to put

together and it has been a very personal mission for me. Back in February I was the first leader to visit Cairo after the uprising. And I was the first to go the European Council to argue

that the current European Neighbourhood Policy simply wasn’t working. I called explicitly for greater market access and for helping thoe countries that really try to reform rather than

simply handing out money as Europe has done in the past. This week the European Commission has responded to that call. More resources and more trade access for countries moving fastest

towards reform. Now there are those who argue these North African countries are not the poorest in the world, and that we should concentrate on our own affairs. I reject this. Be in no

doubt. Get this wrong, fail to support these countries and we risk giving oxygen to the extremists who prey on the frustrations and aspirations of young people. We would see more terrorism,

more immigration, more instability coming from Europe’s southern border. And that affects us right back at home.   But get this right - support the Arab people in their aspirations and their

hope for a better future will be our hope too… …their security will mean greater security for us… …and their prosperity, a more prosperous world for us all. So this is an investment in

success on which I believe the British people will see a return. The Americans have made a big offer on relieving debt. We’re not a major creditor for the region, so we are making an offer

focused on developing the institutions of genuine democracy and the know-how to create an open economy. So, in addition to the assistance we’re making available through Europe, at this

Summit, the UK has also made its own bi-lateral offer of £110 million over 4 years. Today we have laid the foundations for an enduring partnership for the region. But it is the beginning of

a process and the work must now go on in the weeks and months ahead to make sure it delivers.  AID In North Africa we are focused on the impact of aid to stabilise countries - much as we are

in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Elsewhere it’s vital that we focus aid on things that are measurable, verifiable, results-driven and we  target those things that people back home can clearly

see making a difference. Bednets to stop malaria. Vaccines to stop preventable diseases. Clean water. Making sure mothers don’t die in childbirth. I remember as a young politician watching

the Gleneagles summit and the Live8 concerts and thinking it was right that world leaders should have made those pledges so publicly. I think when you make a promise like that to the poorest

people in the world, you should keep it. And I am proud of the fact that Britain is doing just that. But the reality is that as a whole, the G8 has not. The Communique is clear on this.

Britain ensured the accountability report published at this Summit clearly shows what each country has - and has not - done to meet its aid commitments. That means numbers in real terms not

just cash terms. And it means highlighting - not hiding - the $19 billion gap between what’s been expected and what has been delivered. Britain will not balance its books on the backs of the

poorest. We will be the first G8 country to hit the 0.7 per cent target by 2013. Britain will keep its promises. And I was tough in urging my counterparts to keep theirs. It’s not just

about handing over money. It’s also crucially about outcomes and getting value for money, about promoting trade and growth. That’s why I pushed G8 leaders to endorse an ambitious vision for

free trade in Africa - including practical action to open trade corridors and remove obstacles to trade and growth. And it’s why I pushed hard for the G8 to support next month’s London

conference for the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisation, which should stop millions of children dying from totally preventable diseases like diarrhoea. Britain will be prepared

to increase our funding significantly. And I look forward to other countries doing the same. LIBYA Finally, I talked late last night with the four countries here which are taking part in

active operations in Libya. Two months into the operation we are entering a new phase. First, we turned Qadhafi’s forces back at the gates of Benghazi to avert a bloody massacre. Then we

rallied to assist the brave defenders of Misurata and Brega. Now there are signs that the momentum against Qadhafi is really building. So it is right that we are ratcheting up the military,

economic and political pressure on the Qadhafi regime so that we can enforce Resolution 1973. We are stepping up the capability of NATO operations.  Yesterday, we made the decision in

principle that UK commanders should prepare to deploy UK Apache attack helicopters. We are ramping up the economic pressure, choking the Qadhafi regime’s ability to get money to finance

these attacks. And we are expanding the broad international consensus against Qadhafi and in support of the opposition - the Transitional National Council in Benghazi. Crucially, the G8

nations have today reached a unanimous and final verdict on Qadhafi and his regime.  The Communique says that Qadhafi has “lost all legitimacy. He has no future in a free, democratic Libya.

He must go.” Every G8 nation has signed up to this. And we have all made a commitment to “support a political transition that reflects the will of the Libyan people.” This has been a timely

meeting at a critical moment. The world’s most powerful nations have sent an unequivocal message to all those in the Middle East and North Africa who want greater democracy, freedom and

civil rights - we are on your side. These things aren’t just good for the Arab nations. They are good for us too. And that’s why Britain will continue to play its full part in helping the

Arab people to fulfil their economic and political aspirations.  Thank you. UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 27 May 2011