France surprised by presence of European Commission at Board of Peace meeting

France expresses surprise at the European Commission’s participation in Washington’s Board of Peace, insisting it lacks the mandate to represent EU member states. Paris also calls for the board to refocus on Gaza in line with UN resolutions.

Reuters

February 19, 2026

France surprised by presence of European Commission at Board of Peace meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump's bruised hand, as he attends a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, alongside the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

France said on Thursday it was surprised that the European Commission had sent an official to the Board of Peace in Washington saying it did not have the mandate to represent member states, its foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Speaking to reporters, Pascal Confavreux said as far as Paris was concerned the Board of Peace needed to recentre to focus on Gaza in line with a United Nations Security Council resolution and that until that ambiguity was lifted France would not take part.

"Regarding the European Commission and its participation, in reality we are surprised because it does not have a mandate from the Council to go and participate," he said.

-Reporting by John Irish, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout/Reuters