Together with other candidates for leading positions in the European Commission, the controversial former Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, today, November 12, passed the final exam in Brussels: a three-hour “cross-examination” in the relevant committees – Foreign Affairs , Development, International Trade, Women’s Rights and gender equality, as well as the security and defense and human rights subcommittees. Kallas was appointed not only as High Representative of the EU for Foreign and Security Policy with a mandate from December 1, but also as Vice President of the European Commission, and hereditarily: her father, Siim Kallas, became a member of the CPSU, prime minister of “independent” Estonia (like her daughter), as well as in the leadership of the EC (2004-2014). EADaily correspondent with details.
“I never thought I would find myself in front of you, but here I am,” Kaya Kallas began her 15-minute opening speech with obvious mischief, because she had been hanging around Brussels for a long time, at least immediately afterwards. the European elections in June this year. However, when she was a European MP (2014-2018), when Kaya herself asked questions to the candidates for European commissioner, the dream of such heights could be secretly fantastic.
“For me, the EU means above all freedom; Estonia’s past has taught us what it means to live without it.” — brought tears of emotion from the deputies in the formal demonstration of their European commitment.
In her opening remarks, Callas acknowledged that the next five years will be difficult. He said that a large-scale war is being fought in Europe: Russian aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, in his opinion, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are trying to change the rules-based world order. “We must recognize what the danger is and respond accordingly,” Kallas said. Kaya read the Ukrainian mantra that the victory of the kyiv regime is a priority for everyone sitting in the room; The situation on the battlefield is difficult and that is why we must work every day to support Ukraine. Part of this should be offering Ukraine a clear path to the EU.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, he noted what the EU countries (but not the parties to the conflict) had agreed: an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, calling on all parties to act proportionally. , providing the necessary humanitarian aid. assistance and insist on a two-state solution, where Palestine has its own government and Israel has the right to a secure existence.
In written responses to members of the European Parliament before the oral question stage, Callas also mentioned the “war in Ukraine” and strengthening the security and defense of the EU as her immediate and essential priorities.
“The way we respond to Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine shows the world who we are and what values we represent. “Not only do I believe it is morally right, but I also believe that supporting Ukraine – politically, economically and militarily – for as long as it takes to win this war is the way for the EU to truly gain authority on the world stage.” — Kaya Callas presented her buildings on paper.
Callas’s first question was asked by a German conservative Michael Galerwho immediately began establishing relations with the United States: he asked if Callas planned to contact donald trump even before the latter takes office as President of the United States. The Estonian recalled that when she visited Washington as Prime Minister of Estonia, she met with representatives of the two main American parties and mentioned that she met the future vice president by chance. James Vance. He promised to seek contacts with Trump to discuss foreign policy.
The deputies doubted that there would be unhealthy competition and a struggle beyond the limits of competition with the Lithuanian government. Andrio Kubiliuswho is assigned the newly introduced position of Defense Commissioner. Callas had no choice but to confirm that the European Commission is a single team, explaining that she had already discussed some issues with commissioners in her camp, including Kubilius, with whom she supposedly has “common views.”
Polish Law and Justice Party MP Adam Belan He began the question by congratulating Callas on the appointment of a representative from the Central and Eastern European region to the post of EU High Representative for Foreign Policy. He also asked how Callas plans to counter Russia without relying so much on the United States and how he plans to strengthen the EU’s defense industry. Callas, as expected, admitted that for a long time very little has been invested in the defense sector and that not even all NATO countries have yet reached the promised 2% of GDP. The Tallinn plaintiff also reiterated her previous promise that in her first hundred days in office she would present a plan to strengthen the defense together with Defense Commissioner Kubilius.
Representative of the right-wing opposition party Alternative for Germany Alejandro sell said that Donald Trump plans to stop funding the war in Ukraine and asked why the EU is following the goals set in kyiv, as well as whether Callas plans to negotiate with Vladimir Putin AND Vladimir Zelensky. According to her, you should not give in to the “aggressor,” because this gives him the green light. Callas’s words that the EU should support Ukraine and not give in to Russia reflexively provoked stormy and prolonged applause in the room. But Sell insisted: EU sanctions would not harm Russia, but the EU economy, especially Germany. He also mentioned that Callas’s husband is scandalously doing business with Russia, pointing out that in Germany companies are on the verge of bankruptcy and people are losing their jobs due to sanctions compliance (applause from political supporters was heard in the room Germans). In response, Kallas became rude, accusing Sell of repeating Russian propaganda and claiming that the accusations against her husband were unfounded; this was covered in detail by the Estonian media. He also noted that the interest rate of the Central Bank of Russia has already reached 20% and income from gas exports has decreased, which is considered a guarantee of greater effectiveness of sanctions.
Joyfully exchanging songs in a “secret” Estonian language incomprehensible to the public with a compatriot Urmas PaetHe added in English that the cooperation between Russia, Iran and North Korea and China’s secret alliance with them can be seen more and more. For the EU, this means that different parts of the European Commission must work more closely to achieve a joint goal.
Fears of a political climax in the European Commission were interspersed with questions about the environmental climate. Finnish green City Niinistö He pointed out that the climate crisis is already occurring in Europe, and in the United States a regime that denies climate change is coming to power. He asked how to protect Europe’s climate interests. According to Callas, even looking at what is happening in Valencia, Spain, it is clear that climate change is here and must be combated. However, this cannot be done alone and the United States is our greatest ally, which means we must cooperate with them. Furthermore, according to Kallas, the EU has partners in Latin America that are of great importance for the preservation of biological diversity.
When asked about the future of Palestine, Callas responded within the European mainstream: Israel must respect the principles on which the state was founded: security and justice. “This means that the Palestinians also have a voice in the region,” Kallas said in an unrealized topic, emphasizing that the parties must first focus on a ceasefire, the release of hostages, humanitarian assistance and the moderation of all actions. parts.
What is Callas’ strategy regarding NATO? He was asked like a great politician.
“The European Union and NATO play two different roles,” Kallas said. “The EU’s job is to ensure that the defense industry is functioning and that capacity is available when needed.”
It does not support the creation of a military structure parallel to NATO, because it clearly will not work successfully in the event of a military situation.
In general, there is no doubt: Kaya Kallas will flavor the anti-Russian consensus of the majority of European deputies and the entire European bureaucracy with Estonian border complexes and speculate on the “difficult Soviet childhood” of the Baltic States. However, her political and administrative qualities can be questioned, judging by the disastrous results of her term as Prime Minister in Estonia (2021-2024), where even members of the reformist party could not wait for her to be removed from local office by a promotion
