German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he is open to renewed dialogue with the United States but will not join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” in its current form.
“We are, of course, ready to explore other forms, new forms of cooperation with the United States of America,” Merz said at a press conference in Rome. He had earlier indicated willingness to participate weeks ago, but added that what the board has become cannot be accepted by Germany “on constitutional grounds.”
Germany’s rejection places it alongside other traditional US allies—such as France, the UK and Spain—that have declined to join. Saudi Arabia, Hungary and Qatar have confirmed membership. Some observers view the board as an attempt to sidestep the United Nations.
Originally established by a UN resolution with expectations it would oversee the Gaza peace process, the board has evolved and is not exclusively focused on Gaza. Merz said Berlin is prepared to work with Washington on “finding new formats” to advance peace in various regions, and he did not want to limit cooperation to Gaza and the Middle East, noting it could also apply to Ukraine.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery