Kaja Kallas chosen as EU's top diplomat

"This is a huge responsibility at a time of geopolitical tension. I will serve our common interests. Europe must be a place where people are free, safe and prosperous," said the Estonian prime minister. She will have to receive approval from the European Parliament to take up the post.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Photo: AFP

The daughter of former Prime Minister and EU Commissioner Siim Kallas, Ms Kallas was born when Estonia was still part of the Soviet Union before regaining independence in 1991.

She was first elected to the Estonian Parliament in 2011 for the liberal Reform Party founded by her father. She later won a seat in the European Parliament (MEP).

In Brussels, Ms Kallas is known as an advocate for innovation, focusing on digital and communications policies.

After her time working in the EU, she returned to national politics in 2018, taking the helm of the Reform Party and becoming Estonia's first female Prime Minister in 2021.

Despite the country's small size, Ms Kallas has made a big splash on the EU stage, backing plans to increase supplies of artillery shells to Ukraine and bolster Europe's defences.

However, she faced a crisis of confidence in 2023 after local media reported that a company partly owned by her husband continued to operate in Russia. Despite calls for her resignation, Ms Kallas was re-elected as leader of the Reform Party.

Ms Kallas, who speaks English, Russian and French in addition to her native Estonian, had been considered a candidate to replace Mr Jens Stoltenberg as NATO leader.

Ngoc Anh (according to AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/kaja-kallas-ba-dam-thep-cua-estonia-duoc-chon-la-nha-ngoai-giao-hang-dau-cua-eu-post301354.html