Germany welcomes African Union in G-20

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday welcomed the African Union's membership of the G-20, saying it was important that it happened soon.

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in the Indian capital New Delhi, the German chancellor said that a very successful G-20 meeting was held so far.

"It is successful because many things have emerged that many would not have thought possible before,” he said.

Scholz stated that the African Union has succeeded in becoming a member of the G-20, and it will be invited to meetings and negotiations.

Pointing out that the joint declaration, which is of great importance for future developments, was adopted in the summit, Scholz added: “This is a great success in itself.”

The German chancellor pointed out that the summit also discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, which has affected the whole world and has economic consequences that are felt everywhere.

Scholz said the declaration states that the territorial integrity of the countries will not be violated by force.

The 18th G-20 Leaders' Summit began on Saturday in India's capital New Delhi under the theme, "One Earth, One Family, One Future."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have skipped the meeting. Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez are also among the absentees.

At its core, the G-20 is an intergovernmental forum primarily concerned with economic issues made up of the world’s 20 largest economies – 19 countries and the EU.