There is nothing and the examples are not lacking

Promises only bind those who listen. "At the end of the two-day summit of the heads of State and Government meeting eight countries the most powerful on Earth (G8) in St. Petersburg, the observers would law enforcement this proverb. Not less than twelve documents (reports, assessments, declarations) were, indeed, adopted the weekend last on subjects as various that energy security, the fight against terrorism, trade, corruption, not to mention the infectious diseases, education or piracy and counterfeiting. As every year, commitments were entered. As usual, promises are only partly respected, or not at all. Certainly, as likes to point out the French President, G8 is in no way an Executive Board world but much rather a forum for discussion informal as it was defined originally, in 1975. Nevertheless. This club bringing together the leaders of countries representing two-thirds of the world economy arguably serve as a guide, if not an example. At a minimum, each expects that the eight Governments follow through on the commitments and the principles taken by their respective heads of State and Government. There is nothing and the examples are not lacking. The most emblematic concerns energy, one of the three themes being the order of the day by the Russia who chairs the G8 this year.

In their final Declaration, the eight committed themselves to "guarantee a secure energy supply adequate, reliable and friendly to the environment at a price reflecting the basic parameters of the market." To this end, the plan of action adopted Sunday specifically provides the establishment of "free, open and competitive markets". However, at this stage, the Russia and several European countries are far from the account. Gazprom has a monopoly on the gas. And this monopoly has been strengthened by the Duma, on the eve of the G8. In addition, the gas giant continues to apply different prices according to the place where it sells its gas. The conclusion is similar with respect to electricity prices, subsidized Russia. And Moscow still refused to open its market to allow the entry of European operators, in particular in the field of transit (pipeline and pipeline). For their part, Europeans, probably as a retaliatory measure, oppose the arrival on the market of Russian operators. The most emblematic case concerning the opposition of London to the takeover of Centrica by Gazprom. In this context, the appeal of the G8 for an increase in investment "need to invest thousands of billions of dollars (17,000 billion according to the International Energy Agency) in the whole of the chain of energy supply by 2030" likely to be seriously handicapped by these national quarrels. The two American companies Chevron, and ConocoPhillips vying for the right to participate in giant Shtokman gas project in the Barents Sea together with Gazprom may suffer from the absence of agreement between Washington and Moscow, on Friday, for an entry in the Russia in world of the Trade Organization (WTO). As the Declaration of the G8 support "to the principles of the Charter of the energy", it will have no effect in the short term on the Russia, signatory of the text, but who will refuse to ratify as long as it will not amend.

While recalling the need to combat climate change objective clearly defined in the previous G8 in Gleneagles in Scotland in 2005 there still, the joint mission raises various reactions of the members of the G8. However, as noted by Jacques Chirac, "humanity dance on a volcano" in this area. Or reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases a pressing need in the eyes of the community international faces selfishness of US, which, as the Russia, has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, even rehabilitation involved objectives assigned by this text. Behind the scenes of the Summit, some expressed concern about the intentions of the new Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, who would be willing to let CO2 emissions rise by 25 while the Canada was committed to reduce by 6 (between 2008 and 2012). The Kyoto Protocol does not cover the years post 2012, the G8 leaders have much more advanced on post-Kyoto. Just submitted the question of the development of nuclear energy. "Those of us who have or who are studying projects use or development of nuclear energy (...)". consider that the development of this source of energy will contribute to global energy security while reducing air pollution and taking into account the climate change problem. "In short, the global warming concern, but each is in his guise as the explicitly recognizes the G8 release. And in terms of nuclear power, the France, the United States and Britain are not on the same wavelength as the Germany which does not intend to restart program.

That said of the Declaration on the fight against corruption. The G8 has asked "ratification and implementation globally of the UN anti-corruption convention". A call that a surprise since the United States, the Canada, the Germany and the Italy not have not yet ratified. What's worse. G8 intends to implement the OECD convention against bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. But Transparency International has denounced recent lack of enforcement particularly worrying for the Japan, the United Kingdom, the Italy, the Netherlands and the Canada.

Another commitment of the G8 specifically concerns trade while the WTO negotiations to conclude the Doha round are still bogged down. However, long, leaders of the G8 always expressed for this cycle. They regularly call for a rapid conclusion of negotiations. Today, each party seems well-prepared on its positions. Major trade representatives who will meet next week in Geneva, at the headquarters of the WTO, have a month to draw up the broad outlines of such an agreement. But it appears that the negotiations will be the most difficult and failure is not to exclude. Any hand that is turn the gaze, the declarations of intent of the G8 are, often followed by little effect. At this point that the legitimacy of this informal forum is increasingly challenged.