Kaja Kallas to lead EU diplomacy amid geopolitical instability Ursula von der Leyen confirms

Kaja Kallas, the former Prime Minister of Estonia, is set to assume the role of European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy starting November 1.

This announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“Kaja Kallas, as you know, will serve as our High Representative and Vice-President. We are facing geopolitical conflicts and growing instability, and our foreign and security policy must reflect this reality,” von der Leyen emphasized.

In addition to Kallas, von der Leyen nominated Teresa Ribera, one of Spain’s Deputy Prime Ministers, for the position of European Commission Vice-President in charge of competition matters. Finnish MEP Henna Virkkunen has been proposed as vice president overseeing technological sovereignty, security, and democracy, while Romanian MEP Roxana Minzatu has been nominated for vice president responsible for human resources, skills, and training.

She also has proposed French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné for the role of Vice-President responsible for EU Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. This decision comes shortly after Thierry Breton, France's former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, resigned due to disagreements with von der Leyen. Breton criticized her leadership, calling it "dubious management," claiming that she assigned the new French commissioner a "more influential portfolio" without addressing their personal differences.

The nominees will undergo hearings before members of the European Parliament for approval. The new Commission is expected to commence work on November 1, shortly before reviewing the results of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

Von der Leyen, who was re-elected for a second term as European Commission President in July, also presented her political agenda for 2024-2029. Her goals include building a European Defence Union, a "European shield of democracy" to combat disinformation, a European Defence Fund, and enhancing the military capabilities of EU member states.