Norway’s foreign ministry had to quickly confirm on Thursday that it still has no intention of joining US President Donald Trump’s controversial “Board of Peace.” Trump had given the impression Norway would be joining earlier in the day, when he claimed Norwegian leaders would soon be hosting a Board of Peace meeting.
The board, currently made up mostly of countries with authoritarian and/or far-right-wing leadership, convened in Washington on Thursday for the first time. Members must pay high fees to join and critics worry it’s an effort by Trump to replace the United Nations.
“Norway has clearly stated that we will not be a member of the Board of Peace, and that still stands,” foreign ministry spokesperson Ane Jørem, told state broadcaster NRK late Thursday afternoon. She noted that Norway will be hosting the next meeting of the donor group for Palestine this spring, and has “been in contact wih the US on how we also can talk about the peace plan for Gaza there.” Jørem thinks that could be what Trump was referring to when he claimed Norway had expressed willingness to host a Board of Peace meeting.
Norway is not taking part in the board’s first meeting in Washington on Thursday but did send an observer. That was confirmed by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
