Poland will not join Trump's Board of Peace for now, PM says
Poland will not participate in the Board of Peace initiative launched by US President Donald Trump to address global conflicts, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said, citing institutional concerns.
Tusk said on Wednesday that the decision is driven by uncertainties surrounding the council's principles and structure, while reaffirming that relations with the United States remain a priority for Poland.
Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Tusk said the Polish Embassy in Washington had received an invitation to attend the inaugural session of the Board of Peace, scheduled for February 19 in the United States.
"The invitation was addressed either to the Polish Prime Minister or the Polish President; it remains open," Tusk noted.
He added that now is the appropriate moment to clearly and unequivocally state that, given the current lack of clarity regarding the council's guiding principles, its legal status, its specific objectives, particularly those related to the reconstruction of Gaza, and certain constitutional concerns about its structure, Poland will not take part in its activities.
"However, we will continue to analyse the situation in a flexible and open manner," Tusk said.
The prime minister added that maintaining strong relations with the US remains a cornerstone of Polish foreign policy.
"If circumstances change in a way that would make participation possible, we do not rule out any scenario," he concluded.
Poland's participation in the Board of Peace has been included in the agenda of the National Security Council (RBN) convened by President Karol Nawrocki for Wednesday.
Nawrocki told the RBN that while he acknowledged the government's concerns regarding the Board of Peace, the cabinet had not expressed a formal position on Poland joining the council.
"I call on the government today to present a concrete, fact-based recommendation, irrespective of what it would be," he said. "The Polish state needs a responsible decision in this matter rather than a very convenient silence."
Nawrocki added that in line with his election promise, he was ready to sit down and talk with anyone, should that be in the interest of the Polish state.
Inaugurated in January in Davos, Switzerland, the body was originally conceived to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and has since expanded its purpose to tackle global conflicts more broadly. Trump is set to chair the council indefinitely. The members will serve three-year terms, though a permanent seat is granted to any state that contributes USD 1 billion.
The board invited dozens of world leaders to join, including Poland's President Karol Nawrocki. Among the countries that have already joined the body are Qatar, Pakistan, and Hungary.
The American president told Fox TV journalist last month that his board "might" replace the United Nations, arguing that the latter "hasn't been very helpful." (PAP)
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