ROME, Jan 21 (Reuters) – Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Wednesday it appeared problematic for his country to join the so-called Board of Peace promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump to govern Gaza.
Speaking at an event in Rome to present the Winter Olympics Italy is hosting next month, Giorgetti said that judging from news reports he had read “it seems there are some problems” regarding Rome’s participation in Trump’s initiative.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported earlier on Wednesday that Italy would not take part, citing concern that joining a group led by a single country’s leader would violate the constitution.
The proposed board would be chaired for life by Trump and start by addressing the Gaza conflict before expanding to other crises. Member countries would be required to pay a $1 billion fee each to earn permanent membership.
Trump’s plan has so far drawn cautious reactions from Western allies, as diplomats say it could undermine the work of the United Nations.
On Thursday, Trump is due to preside over a ceremony celebrating the new group in Davos, Switzerland, site of the World Economic Forum.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a right-wing leader who has had warm relations with Trump, is unlikely to go to Davos, a source told Reuters.
The Italian government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Corriere report.
According to Italy’s constitution, Italy may join international organisations that ensure “peace and justice among nations” only “on equal terms with other states”, a condition incompatible with U.S. primacy on the new board, Corriere said.
The newspaper did not cite a source for its report.
Invitations to join the board have been addressed to some 60 nations. Only a few, including Hungary, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, have so far accepted without reservations.
Adding to concern among Western allies, the Kremlin said this week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had also been invited.
(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte and Angelo Amante, writing by Gavin Jones, editing by Alvise Armellini)
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