Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace” at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Trump said the United States would contribute 10 billion U.S. dollars to the initiative and claimed that Norway would host a board event.
Ane Jorem, a spokesperson for Norway’s foreign ministry, rejected the claim and reiterated that Norway would not become a board member, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) reported.
“Norway has clearly communicated that we will not become a member of the Board of Peace, and this position remains firm,” Jorem was quoted as saying by NRK.
Jorem added that Norway plans to host a spring meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, an international mechanism long chaired by Norway that coordinates aid to Palestinians. The country is in contact with relevant parties about discussing the Gaza peace plan on that occasion.
Norway is among several European countries, including France, Germany and Britain, that have stayed out of the controversial board, which Trump formally launched on Jan. 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Read also: Trump unveils Board of Peace at Davos
The United States held the first meeting of the Board of Peace on Thursday at the headquarters of the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington.
In his address, Trump stated that nine countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have pledged a total of 7 billion U.S. dollars to the committee’s plan to aid Gaza.
He also noted that Indonesia, Morocco and other countries would deploy personnel to help stabilize the territory.
The president described the commission’s role as overseeing United Nations operations to “ensure the U.N. functions in an orderly manner.”
In the same address, Trump addressed tensions with Iran, saying a meaningful agreement would be difficult to achieve but that the outcome of negotiations would become clear within approximately 10 days.
He reiterated that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
