Costa: EU has serious doubts about the Peace Council

European Council President Antonio Costa announced early Friday that European leaders have "serious doubts" about the scope of work of the "Peace Council," announced by US President Donald Trump. Costa clarified after an EU summit in Brussels that the doubts concern "a number of provisions of the Peace Council's charter, related to its scope of work, its administration, and its compatibility with the United Nations Charter." However, he affirmed that European leaders have expressed their readiness to work with the new Council despite these doubts, adding: "We are ready to work with the United States on implementing a comprehensive peace plan in Gaza, with a Peace Council that undertakes its mission as an interim administration."

For his part, US President Donald Trump said that some European countries have informed him of their desire to join the "Peace Council" he founded, but are awaiting permission from their legislative councils to do so, referring to Italy and Poland. Earlier on Thursday, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump announced the inauguration of the "Peace Council," affirming that it aims to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza. Trump stressed that "everyone wants to be part of the body," which he said could ultimately rival the United Nations, despite many US allies choosing not to participate. When asked if he would lead the group after his term ends, Trump said he was not sure, adding: "I have the right to be if I want, I will decide, it is theoretically possible for life, but I am not sure if I want that."

Bulgaria and Hungary are considered the only EU members to have joined the Peace Council so far, with the outgoing Bulgarian government also deciding to join the initiative, a decision expected to be ratified by parliament next week. Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov, a former UN envoy, was also chosen to be the High Representative for Gaza in the Peace Council. On Thursday, the Albanian parliament ratified the government's decision to join Trump's "Peace Council" initiative, with Prime Minister Edi Rama describing the move as a "gesture of goodwill" and a "special honor," saying it would enhance Albania's role on the international stage. The legislation was approved by a majority of 110 votes in the 140-member parliament, and Rama affirmed that "joining the initiative guarantees Albania a seat at the table of global diplomatic dialogues." Kosovo also joined the Peace Council, being a close ally of the United States, which supported its independence from Serbia in 2008.