Greece is considering participation in the new Gaza Peace Council that US President Donald Trump plans to establish. On Friday, Greece and Cyprus received invitations from the “world leader” to participate as founding members. As Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis stated yesterday from Cairo: “We are very carefully examining all relevant documents. As you know, the establishment of the Peace Council is in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which Greece, as an elected member, voted for positively. Greece consistently supports all initiatives that promote peace, security and stability and, in this context, we will coordinate with our partners in the European Union, as well as with other important friends and allies, such as Egypt.”
Peace Council: Trump’s goal to expand beyond Gaza
Senior diplomatic sources clarified to parapolitika.gr that while the Peace Council is being established within the framework of the second phase of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan, Donald Trump’s goal appears to be expanding its mandate beyond Gaza to deal with all global conflicts. According to reliable information, the participation invitation sent to Greece on Friday is multi-page – “a complex text,” sources characteristically noted – and therefore requires careful study. Among the issues requiring clarification are the financial contribution that participating states are called to pay, the conditions of payment, etc. The Bloomberg report stating that countries wanting a permanent seat on the Peace Council will pay $1 billion appears to be confirmed.
Goal: replacing the UN with the Peace Council
Professor Emeritus of European Studies Panagiotis Ioakimidis argues to parapolitika.gr that if the American President plans to replace the UN with the Peace Council, Greece should perhaps consider refusing to participate. As he explains: “The Peace Council started within the framework of the Gaza plan, according to a relevant Security Council resolution. However, what Trump is trying to do right now goes much further than that. It’s something completely different. So what is Trump aiming for? He aims to bypass and possibly abolish the United Nations Organization. That’s what this is about. Therefore, whether a country will ultimately participate or not, it must weigh this very carefully. It’s not an easy yes or no decision. Regarding Greece, the fact that it’s being invited is recognition of the role it can play. However, Greece must definitely have the same line as the European Union. Right now, what we’re saying is based on information; there are no official announcements. If Donald Trump indeed aims to bypass and weaken, to undermine, the United Nations Organization, in my opinion Greece should not participate.”
Greece’s participation in Gaza International Stabilization Force certain
However, Greece’s participation in the Gaza International Stabilization Force is considered certain. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty welcomed this participation yesterday in his Cairo meeting with Giorgos Gerapetritis, emphasizing Greece’s “interest in actively contributing to Gaza’s reconstruction.”
According to Mr. Ioakimidis, Greece should be present: “To the extent that it can contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction and with the relevant UN resolution 2803, it should participate. But now, how it will reconcile being present while possibly not participating in the Peace Council, that might create a certain problem. But participation in the Gaza reconstruction process is positive for the country.”
