„We can to overcome any threat if we remain united", said today the candidate for the next high representative of the EU for foreign policy and security Kaya Callas in her hearing before six committees of the European Parliament in Brussels. Kalas (Estonia/"Renew Europe") was proposed by the European Council for this post a few months ago, and today she participated in the last hearings in the EP before the vote of the full composition of the new European Commission, quoted by BTA.
„The EU for me is above all freedom,” she pointed out in her opening speech. Callas added that the next five years will not be easy and noted the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the rise of authoritarian regimes around the world, as well as the drive of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran to change the international order. “We must be aware of the threats and respond appropriately,” she urged.
„The victory of Ukraine is very important for us, the EU is united in calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and for the unconditional release of all (taken by "Hamas") hostages, for a two-state solution”, Callas stated. According to her, EU enlargement is a geostrategic investment in our interest and clear results are needed in the next five years.
„Regarding China, it is necessary to overcome the trade imbalance and work with Beijing to cut aid to Moscow in the war in Ukraine,”, she added. “We cannot accept that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea produce more ammunition than us”, Kalas insisted and called for increasing the capabilities of the European military industrial complex.
“The EU and the US are stronger and have more security when they work together”, added the candidate.
Kallas is among the proposed six future deputies of EC President Ursula von der Leyen in the new composition of the commission. With the hearings of these six candidates, the EP today concludes the examinations and is expected to set a date for the voting of the full composition of the new committee. It is expected that MEPs will vote by the end of November and the new European Commissioners will start work on December 1.