Sarkozy : G20 must help global recovery

The Group of 20 leading and emerging nations must play a role in stimulating global economic growth, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in Beijing on Thursday, according to Reuters. "The G20 summit must be conclusive, must be decisive, and must take part in the revival of global growth. It's a major task and China plays an essential role," said Sarkozy, who met Chinese President Hu Jintao on a brief stopover in Beijing before visiting France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia. France will chair a meeting of G7 finance ministers in Marseille on Sept. 9-10 to discuss the global economy, followed by a gathering of G20 finance ministers in Paris in October. Sarkozy has said Chinese backing is essential for France's G20 goals, which include a roadmap for tackling economic imbalances and measures to reduce market speculation and commodity price volatility. French Finance Minister Francois Baroin, travelling with Sarkozy, is due to remain in China on Friday to discuss the G20 agenda.