The Estonian candidate for European Commissioner Kaja Kallasová faced questions from members of the Committee on Foreign Policy (AFET) in the Brussels headquarters of the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday morning. The TASR reporter informs about it.
Members of the development, internal trade, gender equality, security and defense and human rights subcommittees could ask additional questions.
The former Estonian Prime Minister is running for the post of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It is committed to work on strengthening the position of the EU in the world and ensuring its geopolitical and economic security. She called for greater investments in defense and emphasized the importance of cooperation with international partners.
Kallas warned that Russia, Iran, North Korea and, more covertly, China want to change the rules-based world order. She warned that Russia, North Korea and Iran produce more equipment and ammunition than the Euro-Atlantic community, so Europe needs to invest more in defense and take more responsibility.
Support of Ukraine
The EU must support Ukraine “as long as necessary”, also because “the situation on the battlefield is difficult”.
“We have to keep working every day. Today, tomorrow and as long as necessary and with as much military, financial and humanitarian aid as necessary,” she explained. She argued in favor of Ukraine joining the EU and emphasized that the expansion to neighboring countries is a geostrategic investment in the Union’s own interest.
She also emphasized that China must bear the consequences for supporting Russia. “Without China’s support, Russia could not continue the war with the same force. China must feel a higher price for this,” she said. She also added that the EU’s dependence on China in key sectors is a “real vulnerability” and must be removed from this risk.
Relations with the USA
On the topic of migration, she said that in order to protect freedom of movement, the EU must protect its external borders, prevent loss of life and at the same time solve the root causes of migration in the best possible way.
Regarding the defense policy, Kallas specified that the transatlantic partnership has brought prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic, and it is necessary to “build on what works best for both sides”. After the return of Donald Trump to the White House, she is willing to meet with him and his team to “develop a common policy” because “the EU and the United States are stronger and safer when they work together”.
She admitted that the EU does not need separate military powers like NATO, while the Union’s role is to strengthen the defense industry and produce ammunition.
She backed a proposal to make EU sanctions against Russia permanent, rather than the Union having to renew them every six months. However, he does not see the unity of the member countries on this issue.
According to her, in the case of Israel and Palestine, the EU will strive for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and the formation of two states.
All decisions on the results of hearings of 26 designated European Commissioners are collected by EP President Roberta Metsolová. When he has all the assessments, he will announce the results to the head of the European Commission and officially publish them.
