Renzi proposes Florence as host city of G8 in 2017

'Renaissance city embodies rebirth' says former mayor

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - Premier Matteo Renzi said Monday that he has proposed his hometown of Florence play host to the summit of leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized countries in 2017. Florence, as a symbol of Renaissance and rebirth, would be a fitting host city, the city's outgoing mayor said in a letter officially marking his handover of the local government to new leadership after being sworn in as premier last month. Renzi was in The Hague Monday before a major global summit on nuclear security with heads of the Group of Seven industrialized economies for two days of meetings that will also include intense discussions on Ukraine and Russia's role in the crisis there. Russia's membership in the G8 was suspended last week over its annexation of Crimea. The G7 meetings include leaders from the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.