Spain will not participate in the Peace Board initiative launched by US President Donald Trump to address global conflicts, saying the decision was in line with its faith in the United Nations system.
"We appreciate the invitation, but we reject it," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters late Thursday after an EU summit in Brussels.
Washington says the body will help broker and monitor ceasefires, organize security arrangements and coordinate reconstruction in countries emerging from the war. The concept stems from Trump's peace plan for Gaza.
The opening ceremony of the board held at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday was absent from traditional US allies such as Canada, Britain and all members of the European Union except Hungary and Bulgaria.
Sanchez cited consistency with Madrid's commitment to international law, the UN and international coordination as the main reasons why he was refusing to participate.
Sanchez also said that the Peace Board did not include the Palestinian Authority.
Israel has joined the board, along with Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.