EU Diplomats to Discuss Gaza’s Future with Board of Peace Director

Post by : Saif Nasser

Top European Union diplomats are meeting in Brussels to discuss the future of Gaza and the role of a new group known as the Board of Peace. The meeting comes at a time of tension and debate within Europe over how closely to work with the U.S.-led effort.

The director of the Board of Peace, Nikolay Mladenov, is holding talks with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and foreign ministers from the 27 EU member countries. Mladenov, a former Bulgarian politician and United Nations diplomat, was chosen by U.S. President Donald Trump to lead the board.

The Board of Peace was created to oversee plans for rebuilding Gaza after the recent war. President Trump has proposed a wide plan that includes rebuilding Gaza and creating new governance systems. However, the idea has caused debate among European countries.

The European Union has strong ties to both Israel and the Palestinians. It is the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority and plays an important monitoring role at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Because of this, the EU has a strong interest in any plan that affects Gaza’s future.

Not all EU countries agree on how to approach the Board of Peace. Some member states, such as Hungary and Bulgaria, are full members of the board. EU candidate countries like Turkey, Kosovo, and Albania have also joined.

At the same time, several EU countries sent observers to the board’s first meeting in Washington. However, key European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, did not personally attend. The Vatican also declined the invitation.

The decision by the European Commission to send a representative to the Washington meeting has created disagreement inside the EU. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot criticized the move, saying it broke EU rules by not consulting the European Council first. A spokesperson for von der Leyen responded by saying it is within the Commission’s authority to accept invitations.

This disagreement shows how divided Europe is over the issue. Some leaders worry that joining the board too closely could weaken the role of the United Nations. The EU has long supported the U.N.’s mandate in Gaza and believes international law must guide peace efforts.

The meeting in Brussels is also expected to cover other urgent matters, including the war in Ukraine and possible new sanctions on Russia. Still, Gaza remains a sensitive and important topic.

Trump’s plans for Gaza are ambitious. They include rebuilding the area into a modern city and possibly changing how it is governed. Critics say these ideas may face serious challenges on the ground. Gaza has suffered heavy damage, and the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has seen limited progress so far.

The situation remains fragile. Aid deliveries, border controls, and reconstruction projects all require careful planning and cooperation between many countries.

For the European Union, the main challenge is finding a balanced approach. It wants to support peace and rebuilding efforts while also respecting international law and the role of the United Nations. At the same time, it must manage differences among its own member states.

The Brussels meeting may not solve every disagreement. However, it offers a chance for open discussion about Europe’s role in shaping Gaza’s future. As one of the region’s closest neighbors and biggest donors, the EU’s decisions will have lasting effects.

In the coming weeks, the world will watch closely to see whether cooperation or division shapes the next chapter for Gaza.