Blanar: Only Board of Peace Can Bring Stability to Gaza Strip and Wider Region

Bratislava/Washington, 20 February (TASR) - The Board of Peace is currently the only relevant initiative capable of establishing a peaceful settlement in the Gaza Strip and the entire Middle East, said Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), who attended its inaugural session in Washington on Thursday (19 February) as an observer, TASR has learnt from the Foreign Affairs Ministry's communication department. Blanar reiterated that the Slovakia hasn't accepted membership in the Board of Peace, whose establishment was initiated by US President Donald Trump. However, an observer status gives Slovakia the opportunity to monitor all important activities related to the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution of last November, while also contributing to them, as action is necessary in order to achieve peace, stated the minister. "The Slovak Government has been supporting this peace initiative from the outset and, in our opinion, the only correct and final solution to the Israeli–Palestinian issue is a two-state solution," stated Blanar. On the sidelines of the session in Washington, Blanar held several bilateral meetings with leaders and ministers from around the world, which he also used to discuss support for Slovakia's candidacy for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. US President Donald Trump established the Board of Peace on 22 January. It was originally intended to oversee the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, but the organisation's charter doesn't limit its activities solely to the Palestinian territories. According to Trump, it could fulfil some functions of the UN in the future. ko