Brussels is dipping its toes into Donald Trump’s ambitious Board of Peace project. EU Health and Demographics Commissioner Dubravka Suica will jet off to Washington for the board’s first meeting, acting purely as an observer. This was revealed by an EU Commission spokesperson amid heightened scrutiny of US-led Middle East initiatives.
Guillaume Mercier, the spokesperson, was unequivocal with the press: the EU isn’t signing up as a full member. Instead, Suica’s attendance underscores Europe’s unwavering support for a Gaza ceasefire and its push to shape international rebuilding efforts. This comes as the EU remains the top humanitarian funder for Palestinians, disbursing 1.65 billion euros since the October 2023 flare-up of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
Despite rejecting the board’s membership framework and governance—issues slated for a joint statement from all 27 member states—Brussels isn’t closing the door on Trump entirely. The board, unveiled at Davos in January, is meant to monitor Gaza’s overhaul under a comprehensive 20-point peace blueprint. Yet, Trump’s plan to chair it for life, post-presidency, has sparked unease in European capitals.
The EU’s massive aid contributions mean it has skin in the game and refuses to be bypassed by Washington in reconstruction talks. This observer status represents a pragmatic tightrope walk: engaging without endorsing, influencing without committing.
With Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepening, such diplomatic maneuvers could prove pivotal. Will Suica’s presence foster dialogue or merely highlight divisions? The coming days in Washington may offer early clues to evolving global dynamics on one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.