Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Kaja Kalas su odabrani da vode EU in the next five years. Twenty-seven leaders of the European Union have agreed on the political leadership of the bloc for the next five years, as reported by Euronews.
Von der Leyen will be the President of the European Commission, Antonio Costa the President of the European Council, and Kaja Kalas the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Leaders also approved the Strategic Agenda document, outlining the broad strokes of the ambitions that will guide the future work of the three appointees.
The appointments of Von der Leyen and Kalas to the presidency of the Commission and head of European diplomacy, respectively, must now be confirmed by the European Parliament. On the other hand, the European Council selects its own president.
„The European Council proposed Von der Leyen as a candidate for President of the European Commission,“ said current European Council President Charles Michel on his social media account.
In a separate announcement, Michel stated that the European Council had chosen Kaja Kalas as a candidate for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
„The European Council has chosen Antonio Costa as the new President of the European Council,“ said Michel.
EU leaders decided tonight on a package of leading positions, previously agreed upon by three political groups in the European Parliament – the European People’s Party, Social Democrats, and Liberals.
Kalas: I will serve common interests
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kalas announced tonight that she is honored by the support provided by the European Council and assessed that the main challenges for European foreign policy are the war in Europe and increasing instability in the EU’s neighborhood and globally.
„As the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, I will be in service of our common interests. Europe should be a place where people are free, safe, and prosperous. My work has been and will be guided by these goals,“ Kalas said.
Kalas added that her appointment as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the EU carries „enormous responsibility“ in times of geopolitical tensions.
„War in Europe, increasing instability in our neighborhood, and globally are the main challenges for European foreign policy. My goal will be to work towards EU unity, protecting EU interests and values in a changing geopolitical context, and building global partnerships,“ Kalas stressed.
She also stated that she will strive to work with all EU member states and institutions to preserve and strengthen EU unity.
Kalas also highlighted that her next step will be her hearing in the European Parliament, aiming to gain the support of MEPs for this position.
She expressed satisfaction at the opportunity to collaborate with current President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who was named for a second term by the European Council tonight, as well as with former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who was selected as the Council President.
Kalas mentioned that she has already worked with them for several years and will continue to do so with pleasure, emphasizing her great respect for them.
