French officials expressed their surprise at the European Commission sending a representative to participate in Trump's 'Peace Council' meeting in Washington. They indicated that this action was unexpected since the EU Commission does not have an appropriate mandate from the EU Council to engage in such discussions. The meeting commenced on Thursday afternoon, Norwegian time, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the Commission's involvement from the perspective of French diplomacy.

The spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, Pascal Confavreux, emphasized that the focus of the Peace Council's work should align with the priorities laid out in a resolution by the UN Security Council, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza. He noted that France's decision to refrain from participating until these ambiguities regarding the EU Commission's mandate are clarified is a significant stance. This indicates a cautious approach taken by France in international diplomacy and its willingness to ensure collective EU representation.

Furthermore, the response from France highlights the tension that can arise within the EU regarding foreign policy initiatives led by individual member states or entities. France's comments suggest they are advocating for a more cohesive EU strategy that accurately reflects the interests of the member states, especially in Middle Eastern conflicts. The call for alignment with UN resolutions may signal France's commitment to multilateralism and a restrained approach to international engagement.