Italy Refuses to Join U.S. Peace Board

(MENAFN) Italy has declared it "cannot participate" in the U.S.-led Board of Peace, citing fundamental contradictions with the nation's constitutional framework, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced Saturday.

Speaking to an Italian news agency, Tajani explained the board's founding charter creates "insurmountable" constitutional barriers with Article 11 of Italy's Constitution, which prohibits the country from entering organizations without "conditions of equality with other states."

The framework violates constitutional standards by designating U.S. President Donald Trump as chairman while granting him veto authority over certain organizational decisions.

Tajani emphasized Italy remains "always available to discuss initiatives concerning peace," expressing willingness to contribute meaningfully on the Gaza situation through concrete measures such as providing training programs for Palestinian police forces.

The foreign minister confirmed Italy communicated this stance during Friday consultations with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both visiting Italy for the Winter Olympics.

Italy becomes the latest European power—joining France, Germany and Britain—to decline involvement in the disputed initiative, which Trump officially unveiled on Jan. 22 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

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