EU leaders officially put forward Estonian Premier as their nominee to succeed Borrell
Date
6/30/2024 8:21:59 AM
(MENAFN) European Union leaders have officially put forward Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as their nominee to succeed Josep Borrell as the bloc's top diplomat, pending approval by the European Parliament next month. Kallas is recognized for her firm stance on Russia, advocating for stringent sanctions against Moscow and supporting innovative approaches like using frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine's reconstruction.
Alongside Kallas, European Union leaders also endorsed Ursula von der Leyen for a third term as European Commission President and named former Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Costa as the new President of the European Council. While Kallas and von der Leyen's nominations are subject to parliamentary approval, Costa's appointment is automatically confirmed by member state leaders.
Reports from Euronews indicated that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni opposed Kallas's nomination, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban abstained from the vote. Reflecting on her potential new role, Kallas acknowledged the significant responsibilities amid current geopolitical tensions and outlined her priorities in a social media post, emphasizing unity within the European Union and safeguarding its interests and values.
Kallas has consistently pushed for stronger measures against Moscow, citing ongoing conflicts in Europe and heightened global instability as primary challenges for European Union foreign policy. Estonia's recent legislative move allowing seized Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction underscores Kallas's proactive approach towards addressing regional crises and shaping European Union policy in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
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