Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama will attend the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ in Washington, confirming his country’s founding role without a financial contribution.

TIRANA: Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (pic) will travel to Washington next week to join the first meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace”.

Rama confirmed his attendance in an interview with an Albanian podcast, stating, “I will be in Washington for the official creation of the peace council and the launch of the activities of this council.”

The inaugural meeting is scheduled for February 19. The board, chaired by Trump, was initially conceived to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction after the Israel-Hamas war.

Its charter, however, appears to extend its scope beyond the Palestinian territory. Permanent membership requires a contribution of USD 1 billion, drawing criticism that it resembles a “pay-to-play” version of the UN Security Council.

Trump launched the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, with at least 19 countries signing its founding charter. Several nations, including Croatia, France, Italy, New Zealand and Norway, have already declined to join.

Others have indicated they would only consider membership if the charter were amended. Rama has consistently stated that Albania will not pay for permanent membership.

“Albania has the privilege of being a founding state, and it will not contribute financially to join or remain as a permanent member,” he reiterated on Sunday.

 The Sun Malaysia