Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, and Kaja Kallas are set to lead the European Union for the next five years. The 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 serve as the President of the European Commission, Antonio Costa as the President of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas as the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Leaders also approved the Strategic Agenda, a document outlining the broad strokes of ambitions to guide the future work of the three appointees.
The nominations of Von der Leyen and Kallas for the positions of President of the Commission and Chief European Diplomat, respectively, must now be confirmed by the European Parliament. On the other hand, the European Council elects its own President.
„The European Council has proposed Von der Leyen as a candidate for the President of the European Commission,“ current President of the European Council, Charles Michel, stated on his social media account.
Michel also announced separately that the European Council has chosen Kaja Kallas as its candidate for the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
„The European Council has elected Antonio Costa as the new President of the European Council,“ Michel stated.
EU leaders have decided on the package of leading positions tonight, which had previously been agreed upon by three political groups in the European Parliament, including the European People’s Party, Social Democrats, and Liberals.
Kallas: I will serve common interests
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expressed tonight that she is honored by the support from the European Council and highlighted the main challenges for European foreign policy, such as the war in Europe and increasing instability in the EU’s neighborhood and globally.
„As the High Representative of the EU 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 continue to be guided by these goals,“ Kallas stated.
Kallas also emphasized on her social media account that her appointment as the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is a „huge responsibility“ amid geopolitical tensions.
„The war in Europe, increasing instability in our neighborhood, and global challenges are the main obstacles for European foreign policy. My aim will be to work towards EU unity, protecting EU interests and values in a changing geopolitical context, and building global partnerships,“ Kallas added.
She also mentioned that she will strive to work with all EU member states and institutions to preserve and strengthen EU unity.
Kallas mentioned that her next step is her hearing in the European Parliament, and she aims to gain the support of lawmakers for this position.
She expressed her satisfaction in having the opportunity to collaborate with the current President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who was reappointed by the European Council for a second term, as well as with the former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, whom the European Council elected as its President.
Kallas stated that she has already collaborated with them for several years and will continue to do so with pleasure, mentioning her deep respect for them.
