EU sends mixed signals on Trump’s Board of Peace: Flags ‘serious doubts’ but willing to ‘work together’

After US President Donald Trump officially signed the founding charter of the Board of Peace at a ceremony on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, European leaders have expressed “serious doubts” about the scope of the body. However, EU chief Antonio Costa on Friday (Jan 23) added that despite this, the European Union is ready to work with the United States and the newly founded body in Gaza.

“We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter,” the European Council president said following an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels. “We are ready to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration.”
Trump unveiled the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos on Thursday as he joined the stage with leaders and officials from 19 countries to sign its founding charter.

Trump’s Board of Peace aims to oversee demilitarisation, humanitarian relief, infrastructure rebuilding, and the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Ali Shaath.

Trump sees this “as a potential substitute for the UN... a kind of parallel unofficial body to deal with other conflicts beyond Gaza.”

The US, “depending on its performance in Gaza” will consider expanding the board’s remit to include other global conflicts, like Russia-Ukraine and Azerbaijan-Armenia, according to FT

The board's remit is also likely to be expanded to Venezuela, which is already in turmoil after the capture of Nicolas Maduro and his wife by the US.

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