ROME, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ended his visit to Italy on Wednesday, with a pledge to send a strong anti-protectionism message at the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit.
"In an international context marked by an increasing trend to isolationism and protectionism, the role of the G7 as a driving force of an open and free global order has become even more crucial," Abe told a press conference after talks with Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni on Tuesday.
The two leaders agreed such topic should be on top of the agenda of the G7, which is going to take place in Taormina of Italy's Sicily Island in May.
"Our common hope is for the summit to send a strong signal on the relevance of international trade and commerce, against any temptation of protectionism closure," Gentiloni said.
The next G7 will draw attention with respect to this issue, after the finance ministers of the Group of 20 failed for the first time to send a traditional pledge against protectionism in their annual summit held last Saturday.
The anti-protectionism message was not included in the G20 final statement due to opposition from the United States.
At the same time, Italy was especially interested in promoting economic growth, Gentiloni said.
"Italy, like Japan, has committed to relevant reforms, and it hopes the G7 will also send a message supporting common policies in favor of growth," he said.
Italy assumed the rotating presidency of the G7 this year. The group comprises the world's seven most advanced economies -- the U.S., Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
