Heiligendamm, Germany: As the leaders of the world's eight leading industrialised nations meet in northern Germany for a three-day summit expected to be dominated by differences over defence and climate policy, their spouses will come together for a parallel forum, with a less divisive agenda to pursue.
The key event on the alternate gathering's programme will be a discussion of demographic development issues at the Burg Schlitz castle, near the German seaside resort of Heiligendamm, the venue of the main Group of Eight (G-8) summit.
The husband of German Chancellor Angela Merkel will welcome his counterparts from Britain, France, Italy, the US, Canada, Japan and Russia to the elegant early 19th-century property on Thursday for the discussion, and a subsequent luncheon.
On Friday, the G-8 leaders' spouses will head for the Baltic port of Wismar for a meeting with participants in the Junior 8 summit, an international youth conference with an agenda that mirrors that of the G8 summit.
Analysts fear that US-Russia tensions over Washington's plans to build a missile shield in central Europe may overshadow this year's G8 forum, while its host - Chancellor Merkel, has been hoping to centre on climate change policies and aid for Africa.
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