Key Information
- Foreign Affairs Minister Kaja Kallas denies rumors of a power struggle with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and emphasizes their collaboration.
- Overlaps in roles within the European Union structure sometimes create tensions, but Kallas sees them as opportunities for optimization and efficiency.
- Kallas defends NATO against criticism from President Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of unity and the need to avoid rhetoric that would benefit adversaries.
Kaja Kallas, responsible for EU foreign policy, responded to rumors of a power struggle with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Calling claims of rivalry mere speculation, Kallas emphasized their friendly working relationship.
“Who doesn’t love a good story about a dispute between women?” joked Kallas in an interview with Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
Tensions
Kallas acknowledged occasional role overlaps. She serves as both Vice President of the Commission and President of the EU Foreign Ministers’ meetings, leading to occasional tensions. This mainly relates to establishing an intelligence unit within the Commission reflecting the existing capabilities of Kallas’s European External Action Service. Kallas advocates for eliminating duplications and promoting efficiency within the EU.
While acknowledging “institutional tensions” upfront, Kallas presented them as operational optimization issues rather than personal rivalry. She also stressed the importance of European unity, noting that citizens see the EU as a singular entity.
Trump’s Criticism of NATO
In a separate context, Ms. Kallas refuted President Trump’s description of a “weak” NATO due to its inaction in the Strait of Hormuz during a public television interview.
She highlighted that no official NATO intervention request had been made. Additionally, she warned against polarizing statements like those of President Trump that could benefit adversaries like Russia.
(jw)
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