Leaders of European Union (EU) countries have serious doubts about the competence of the Peace Council established by US President Donald Trump, but they are ready to cooperate with the United States and this recently created structure in the Gaza Strip, said European Council President Antonio Costa on Friday, according to LETA citing AFP.
"We have serious doubts regarding several points of the Peace Council's charter concerning its competencies, governance, and compliance with the UN Charter," said Costa after the extraordinary summit of the European Council in Brussels.
"We are ready to cooperate with the United States on implementing a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, provided that the Peace Council fulfills its mission as a temporary administration," Costa added.
On Thursday, Trump officially established the Peace Council during a ceremony in Davos, where the World Economic Forum is taking place, by signing its founding documents.
The President of the United States himself is the chair of the council. Countries that contribute one billion US dollars may receive permanent membership, while for others, the term will be three years. A complete list of participating countries has not yet been released.
Initially, Trump envisioned the Peace Council as a structure that would oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Since then, he has proposed expanding its functions to address conflicts and crises worldwide. When asked in Davos on Wednesday whether the Peace Council could replace the UN, he answered affirmatively. According to DPA, diplomats who have reviewed the council's charter stated that it represents a blatant challenge to the UN.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reported to journalists after the summit that his country declined an invitation to participate in the Peace Council.
France stated that the charter of the Peace Council is "incompatible" with the country's international obligations, particularly with its membership in the UN.
Many of the United States' Western allies criticized the invitation for Russia and Belarus to join the Peace Council, believing that no reliable peace forum can include Russia, which is waging a bloody war against Ukraine.
