Governments have reacted with caution to the invitation from United States President Donald Trump to participate in his initiative called the "Board of Peace", which aims to resolve international conflicts. Only Hungary, whose leader maintains a close relationship with Trump, has openly accepted the invitation, while other countries avoided public comments, expressing concerns that the initiative could undermine the role of the United Nations. The invitation was extended to approximately 60 countries and began reaching European capitals over the weekend.
A permanent board under the chairmanship of Trump
The proposed board will be chaired by Donald Trump for life, with an initial focus on the Gaza conflict and a view toward expanding to other international disputes. Countries could participate with a term limited to three years, unless they paid the amount of $1 billion for permanent membership. The White House described the proposal as an opportunity for countries demonstrating a commitment to peace and security to gain continuous participation on the board.
Mixed reactions from allies and partners
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated she is ready to contribute, though it was not clear if she was referring specifically to Gaza or broader peacekeeping efforts. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed in principle to participate in the Board of Peace for Gaza, although the initiative's mandate had been approved by the United Nations Security Council with a restriction exclusively to Gaza until 2027.
Concerns over undermining the UN
Strong concerns were raised by the charter accompanying the invitation, as it reportedly leaves room to undermine existing United Nations mechanisms. One diplomat characterized the initiative as a "Trump United Nations". Many diplomats expressed fear that, if implemented, the initiative could erode the role of the UN. Meanwhile, it is estimated that Trump envisions an expanded mandate for the board, beyond Gaza, to deal with other conflicts he claims to have helped resolve.
Board composition and geopolitical tensions
The invitation included leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Australia, Canada, the European Commission, as well as key Middle Eastern powers. The Board of Peace is proposed as a more effective international peace-building mechanism compared to traditional institutions. Trump stated that he wishes for the board to convene soon, highlighting its "unique" character.
A senior UN official reiterated that the United Nations remains the only institution with the authority to unite states, warning that challenging this role could lead to difficult developments. The White House announced some of the board members, including various political figures, but notably without Palestinian participation. The oversight of Gaza's governance by a technocratic administration will take place with the participation of this international board, based on an agreement between Israel and Hamas, within a fragile ceasefire environment.
Critics compared Trump's approach to governing foreign territories to a colonial model. The board's composition has faced intense criticism, particularly due to the participation of figures such as Tony Blair, because of his role in the Iraq War. Simultaneously, an additional body named the "Gaza Executive Board" was announced, which includes officials from Turkey, the UN, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel. Israeli officials stated that the composition of this body has not been approved by their government, a fact that reflects existing tensions with some of the participating states.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών