The Group of Seven finance ministers meet in Rome today for a one-day meeting in Rome amid divisions between the US and Europe over who is most to blame for the ailing global economy.
Theywill map out the agenda for the July 20th-22ndsummit of G8 leaders in Genoa, but they are also expected to address a raft of topics from world growth to multilateral lending to antitrust regulations.
Disagreements over which country or region needs to do most to help the world recovery, however, is likely to be a focus of attention for world markets anxious about the chances of a rebound in business activity and confidence this year.
Europeans are determined not to be singled out for criticism while the United States insists it has done nearly all it can to revive global activity.
As well as the growth outlook, the Rome G7 meeting will focus on preparing other documents for the G8 summit, sources said, including on bank reform, development and debt relief.
Ministers will also discuss the international financial system and the arguments of globalisation's critics, particularly in view of expected mass demonstrations at Genoa.