HELSINKI, Feb 20 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Norway will not join United States (US) President Donald Trump's so-called "Board of Peace," Xinhua reported, citing the country's foreign ministry on Thursday.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" at the US Institute of Peace, Trump said the US would contribute US$10 billion 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, and the country is in contact with relevant parties about discussing the Gaza peace plan on that occasion.
Norway is among several European countries that include France, Germany, and Britain, that have stayed out of the controversial board formally launched by Trump on Jan 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
-- BERNAMA-XINHUA
