HR/VP-designate, Kaja Kallas, will strengthen the EU’s influence as global actor

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament congratulates Vice-President-designate of the European Commission and High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, for securing a green light following her confirmation hearing.

Her clear commitment to address, on the short-term, pressing global concerns, such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, our dependency on China in key sectors and Beijing’s support to Kremlin, the threats posed by autocratic regimes to our democracy, meets our political group’s priorities. Kaja Kallas also mentioned the need to enhance the Transatlantic Partnership in the context of Donald Trump’s re-election and to deepen our ties with Latin America.

Strengthening the EU’s security and defence, addressing hybrid threats and disinformation, seeing enlargement as a geostrategic investment that is in the EU´s own interest, applying human rights clauses in a coherent manner to all EU international agreements with third countries and ensure that breaches have consequences are also key for Renew Europe.

MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open Vld, Belgium), Renew Europe Group’s coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee, said:

“Kaja Kallas clearly is the right woman in the right place. Europe needs a High Representative with strong political convictions. Kallas is such a person. During the hearing, she was more than clear on her stance against Putin’s autocracy and unwavering in her support for Ukraine. She was not only convincing on Ukraine, but also knew her files on Africa and the Middle East.

In these times of increasing isolationism, she spoke out clearly in favour of multilateralism and more cooperation, primarily within Europe. I was also very pleased with how she always made the connection between her portfolio and that of Defence and Internal Security.”