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Several world leaders receive invitations to attend inaugural meeting of ‘Peace Council’ established by US President Donald Trump, scheduled for 19 February.
Some countries confirm participation, including Argentina led by Javier Milei and Hungary under Viktor Orban, while others decline, among them France, Italy, Norway, Czech Republic and Croatia.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan says Sunday on Facebook he receives invitation but country has yet to decide on participation in first session of ‘Peace Council’, noting decision depends on discussions with US partners over meeting format for states like Romania that are not council members but wish to join subject to charter review.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says Saturday he receives invitation and intends to attend.
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis announces Saturday he does not intend to join ‘Peace Council’, telling TV Nova network that Czech Republic will act in coordination with other EU member states, some of which already say they will not join.
Under Trump plan to end Gaza war, ‘National Committee for Gaza Administration’ would temporarily manage Palestinian territory under leadership of ‘Peace Council’ chaired by Trump.
Council charter does not explicitly mention Gaza, instead assigning broader mission of contributing to resolution of armed conflicts worldwide.
Preamble implicitly criticises United Nations, stating ‘Peace Council’ must courage to abandon approaches and institutions that often fail.
This language draws criticism from several leaders, notably French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who earlier in week call for strengthening UN in response to Trump proposal.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterates Italy will not join ‘Peace Council’ due to constitutional constraints that cannot be bypassed, saying Italian constitution does not allow joining organisation led by single leader.
On Friday, Brazilian President accuses Trump of wanting to make himself ‘master’ of ‘new United Nations’, defending multilateralism against advance of unilateralism and warning UN Charter being torn apart.
Trump announces creation of ‘Peace Council’ at Davos forum in Switzerland in January.
According to charter, Republican president holds sweeping powers, including sole authority to invite or revoke participation of other leaders, unless two-thirds majority of member states exercise veto.
Other controversial points include absence of explicit Gaza reference and high membership fees, with countries seeking permanent seat required to pay $1 billion.
AFP