The European Union Commission has confirmed its participation in former US President Donald Trump’s newly established ‘Board of Peace’ meeting in Washington this week, though officials emphasized the bloc will attend strictly in an observer capacity rather than as a formal member.
EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica will represent the Commission at the gathering, which marks Trump’s latest diplomatic initiative addressing the Gaza conflict. The development comes amid ongoing international efforts to broker and sustain a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier clarified the EU’s position during a press briefing on Monday, stating: “The EU Commission is not becoming a member of the board of peace; we are participating in this meeting precisely in our longstanding commitment to the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as to take part in international efforts to support reconstruction and the post-war recovery in Gaza.”
The diplomatic move demonstrates the EU’s cautious engagement with Trump’s initiative while maintaining its independent diplomatic stance. The Commission’s participation reflects the bloc’s substantial financial and humanitarian investment in Gaza reconstruction efforts, which aligns with the Board’s stated objective of mobilizing resources for the territory’s recovery.
Trump previously announced that Board of Peace members had pledged over $5 billion for Gaza assistance, though specific donor commitments remain unclear. The former president has also extended invitations to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to participate in the initiative.
The EU’s decision to attend as an observer rather than a full member suggests careful diplomatic positioning, allowing the bloc to monitor developments while preserving its established coordination role with other international mediators including the United Nations and Arab states.