EU Observer Makes Trip to Washington for Trump’s Peace Meeting
The EU Commission is not joining the Board of Peace set up by US President Donald Trump but has chosen instead to attend as an observer, aligning with its longstanding commitment to ensuring a ceasefire in Gaza and supporting recovery efforts. This move underscores the EU’s continued involvement in regional peace initiatives.
EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica is scheduled to travel to Washington this week for the meeting. She will be accompanied by spokesperson Guillaume Mercier, who explained that participation as an observer aligns with the EU’s commitment to a ceasefire and post-war recovery in Gaza. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Mercier clarified: “The EU Commission is not becoming a member of the board; we are participating precisely due to our commitment to ensuring the ceasefire in Gaza and supporting international efforts for reconstruction.”
While President Ursula von der Leyen was invited but chose not to attend, she has indicated that the EU remains open to cooperation with the US on the peace plan. “We’re certainly prepared to work together with the US when it comes to the implementation of the peace plan,” Mercier stated.
Interestingly, two member states have taken a different path. Hungary and Bulgaria both attended a signing ceremony in Davos last month for elements related to the Board’s charter. While these countries did not participate in this specific board meeting, their presence demonstrated interest and cooperation within the broader framework.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently expressed Rome’s willingness to consider observer status at future meetings of the board, though she emphasized that constitutional constraints prevent full EU membership. Meanwhile, Cyprus has accepted an invitation to attend as an observer on Thursday.
These varied approaches highlight the evolving nature of European engagement in regional peace efforts under the Trump administration’s Board of Peace. The EU’s participation remains focused on maintaining a commitment to regional stability and recovery, even if it requires different forms of involvement from member states.”