Page 42 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine October 2024

42 I Central Europe bne October 2024
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announces her commissioner proposals. / europa.eu.int
Eastern EU members secure key portfolios in new European Commission
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Several eastern European Union member states have secured important portfolios in the new European Commission, according to the nominations outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on September 17.
The newer EU members from Central and Southeast Europe are becoming increasingly assertive as they celebrate 20 years since the first wave of new members from the region joined the bloc, and 11 years since Croatia became the latest addition.
Von der Leyen referred to this when announcing the nominations, saying that of the six executive vice-presidents, “Three [are] from member states that joined
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before the fall of the Iron Curtain. And three from member states that joined after Europe was reunited. From the Baltics, Nordics and Eastern Europe. Ministers and prime ministers. Different backgrounds. But all with one common goal – and that is to make Europe stronger.”
Key appointees from the region include Estonia's Kaja Kallas, taking the foreign affairs and security portfolio, and Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius, who will assume the newly created position of defence commissioner.
Kallas, Estonia's former prime minister, will succeed Josep Borrell. Known for her vocal stance on EU security, she had previously warned European leaders of a possible Russian attack on Ukraine.
"We are in an era of geostrategic rivalries and instability. Our foreign and security policy must be designed with this reality in mind and it must be more aligned with our own interests. I know that I can count on her to bring all of this together – and be the bridge between our internal and external policies. And to ensure we stay a Geopolitical Commission,” said von der Leyen on announcing Kallas’ appointment.
Kubilius' appointment as the first defence commissioner reflects the EU's focus on strengthening military manufacturing capacity in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
In a somewhat surprising move Romania’s Roxana Minzatu has been