Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas attended the European Council meeting in Brussels on 27 June, where the main topics of discussion were the situation in Ukraine, the EU’s defence and security policy, the Middle East, the strategic agenda for the next five years and the nomination of candidates for top posts.
“To be nominated as the candidate for High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is a great honour for me and for Estonia,” the head of government said. “The trust my colleagues have placed in me with this nomination is also symbolic at a time when we are celebrating 20 years of our country’s membership of the EU.”
Prime Minister Kallas added that the EU’s foreign policy had become significantly more robust since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine. “I want to continue to do everything I can to make us even stronger,” she said. “Unity is the basis of everything. In order to achieve it, Europe’s institutions and Member States must work together to find ways to reinforce cohesion. A war is raging in Europe, and this is the most important challenge in the EU’s foreign policy. Growing instability close to Europe’s borders and globally demands our attention as well.”
The head of government says the next step will be a hearing in the European Parliament with a view to obtaining the support of MEPs for her nomination.
„I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on being named as the candidate for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs! It is a recognition of Kaja Kallas’ political track record in Europe but also a recognition of Estonia’s foreign policy more broadly. Through the years, Estonia’s foreign policy has had a clear objective and resolve, which has given greater weight to our common foreign policy, and our words and actions are noticed. Today’s decision is a confirmation for all of Estonia that our foreign policy has been on the right track, clear, constructive and courageous,“ commented Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.