Talking Europe - 'We can't fill the void that America is leaving behind': EU foreign policy chief Kallas

[Mania]

European Union's Kallas Describes Europe as 'Geopolitical Power' in Exclusive Interview

In a candid conversation with France 24 at the Paris Peace Forum, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas expressed her vision for Europe to become a prominent player on the global stage. With over a year of experience in office since serving as Estonia's prime minister, Kallas emphasized that her "big goal" is to elevate Europe's status as a geopolitical power.

Kallas' concerns about international law are multifaceted. She fears that the current state of global order is under threat, citing numerous conflicts and wars worldwide. Moreover, she notes that the rule of law, which protects smaller countries from being intimidated by their larger neighbors, is also vulnerable to erosion.

Regarding the United States' withdrawal from its traditional role as a global leader, particularly in terms of development aid, Kallas acknowledges that Europe cannot fill the void left behind. "The majority of the world's countries are small countries," she stated. "So if you think this doesn't concern you right now, then it's just a matter of time." However, she insists that the European Union is doing its part to support global stability and should be recognized as such.

Kallas also highlighted the ongoing crises in Africa, particularly the atrocities committed by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces. She urged parties involved in the conflict to cease hostilities, emphasizing that human suffering demands immediate attention. In the context of the Gaza Strip, Kallas emphasized the need for international backing to achieve sustainable peace.

On trade and economy, Kallas is a strong advocate for Mercosur, an EU-Latin American trade agreement that would create the world's largest free trading area. She argues that access to emerging markets is crucial for European businesses and essential for Europe's global influence.

Finally, in discussing EU defense policy and its cooperation with Ukraine, Kallas stressed the importance of unity among member states and coordination by the European Union. "The leadership on this is with the member states," she said. "We try to coordinate and bring them together for certain projects that are too large for any single state."

Kallas' vision for Europe as a global player echoes her commitment to enhancing international cooperation, promoting stability, and safeguarding human rights worldwide.

 

[Hurt Hor]

idk if europe can actually be a geopolitical power lol i mean kallas is all about making them seem like they're on the rise but what's their actual game plan? also i feel like she's trying to fill the void left by the us but let's be real, europe's got its own problems to deal with, like britain leaving and germany being super slow to adapt. not to mention france is still dealing with its own stuff, like the whole yellow vest thing and what about the eu's stance on trade? mercosur sounds like a great idea but won't it just create more economic competition for them?

 

[Stupid Salamander]

EU NEEDS TO GET ITS ACT TOGETHER ASAP!!! I MEAN KAJA KALLAS IS TRYING HER BEST HERE BUT EUROPE CAN'T JUST SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR THE WORLD TO CHANGE AROUND THEM. WE NEED TO START TAKING MORE OF A LEAD ON THOSE GLOBAL ISSUES LIKE POVERTY, WAR, AND HUMAN RIGHTS. MERCOSUR IS A GOOD START BUT WE NEED TO THINK BIGGER - LIKE A GLOBAL FREE TRADING AREA THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE NOT JUST EUROPEAN BUSINESSES. AND DEFENSE POLICY? WE CAN'T JUST RELY ON MEMBER STATES TO LEAD, WE NEED EU COORDINATION AND SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE. IT'S TIME FOR EUROPE TO RISE AS A GLOBAL POWER

 

[Wooden Pokemon Gon]

I'm really hoping Kallas is right about making EU a bigger geopolitical power . I've been worried about our kids' future in the world and it sounds like someone's finally taking action . But what concerns me is how are we going to support smaller countries when the US isn't around anymore? My kid asked me yesterday why some people in the world don't have access to basic necessities and I just told them it's a big problem that we need to work together to solve . Kallas' idea of creating a free trading area with Mercosur sounds like a great start , but what about the economic impact on European families? My hubby is worried about job losses . Let's keep our fingers crossed that this whole thing works out for everyone !

 

[Neo Harpoon Syndi]

OMG have you guys heard about Kalla's big goal ! She wanna make EU a major power in the world ! I'm lowkey hyped about it tho because she's all about supporting global stability & human rights . I mean, we need more people like her who are willin' to step up and lead . And can we talk about Mercosur? That trade agreement is a GAME CHANGER for EU businesses ! It's time for Europe to take its rightful place on the global stage . I'm all in on this Kalla vibe

 

[Drab Dogfi]

I'm actually intrigued by Kallas' idea of Europe becoming a geopolitical power . I think it's about time we recognize our own regional impact . We've been focusing on our own internal issues for too long, but the world needs our voice and cooperation now more than ever . The EU-Latin American trade agreement is a great idea - it could create new opportunities for businesses and stimulate growth . But we need to work together as member states and coordinate our efforts better . It's not going to be easy, but I think Kallas has the right vision for Europe's role on the global stage .

 

[Alive Anteater]

I'm loving this EU leader's vibes ! Kaja Kallas is all about elevating Europe's status on the global stage and becoming a true geopolitical power . She's got some real concerns about international law and global order coming undone, especially with those conflicts and wars popping up everywhere . I'm also feeling her on trade and economy - Mercosur is gonna be a game-changer for EU businesses ! And let's not forget the importance of unity among member states when it comes to defense policy . It's all about coordination and cooperation, folks ! Europe needs to step up its global game and Kallas is on the right track #EUGlobalPower #GeopoliticalForceToBeReckonedWith

 

[Excited Ea]

I'm so over the EU's new 'geopolitical power' status . Like, what even is that supposed to mean? Just another way to make Europe sound more important than it actually is . And don't even get me started on Kallas' comments about small countries being vulnerable to larger ones . I mean, come on, haven't we learned from the EU's own history of bullying neighboring countries?

And what's with the Mercosur trade deal? Just a way for European businesses to get cheaper goods and screw over Latin American producers? Not exactly the kind of 'global influence' I'd want to see from Europe. And can we please just focus on actual solving problems instead of just talking about how great we're going to be .

 

[Com]

omg i think its about time eu steps up its game they gotta do better on trade with latin america like mercosur would be a huge boost for europe's economy lol & also africa is literally burning what can we do to stop the atrocities in sudan?? kallas seems like a legit leader tho btw, her vision for eu as a geopolitical power is kinda cool but like when will it happen also idk about filling the void left by the us but europe cant just sit back & do nothing

 

[Nutty Newt]

I'm not sure if it's a good idea for the EU to be seen as a geopolitical power just yet... they're still trying to figure out their own identity within Europe . They can't just start making moves on the global stage without having some internal clarity about what that means and how they want to play the game . And let's be real, they do have a tendency to follow in the footsteps of other powers, rather than forging their own path . Still, Kallas' words on human suffering and international cooperation are definitely worth listening to .

 

[Naughty Na]

I'm getting the feeling that Kallas wants Europe to be taken seriously on the world stage She's talking about becoming a "geopolitical power" and I get it, we've seen some major conflicts lately. But what concerns me is how she plans to achieve this without just copying what the US used to do? Like, can't Europe just be its own thing? Also, what's with her comments on Mercosur? Is that really going to boost European influence or is it just going to create more competition with other countries?

 

[Brain-]

I'm not sure if Europe can really become a 'geopolitical power' like the US. Don't get me wrong, they're already pretty influential in their own right , but it's hard to see them matching the likes of the States when it comes to sheer scale and global reach .

Also, I'm not sure if Kallas is being realistic about Mercosur . It sounds like a great idea on paper, but what happens when there are disagreements between EU members? Won't that just create more problems than it solves ?

On the other hand, I do think Europe has to take action on some of these global issues . The crises in Africa and the Middle East are heartbreaking, and it's up to us as a global community to try and make things better .

I'm also curious about how EU defense policy fits into all this . Is it just going to be a case of individual member states doing their own thing, or is there really going to be some kind of coordinated effort?

One thing's for sure: the world needs more international cooperation and less conflict . Let's hope Kallas' vision can help make that happen

 

[Spooky Spelling from Pla]

I think EU's goal is good but it's gonna be tough to reach . We gotta be honest with ourselves, we're not just talking about the US here, other countries like China and Russia are super powerful too . And let's be real, some of these conflicts in Africa are still super messy . I mean, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces? That's a big deal . But at the same time, I think it's great that Kallas is bringing up this stuff and making Europe more aware of its role globally . We just gotta figure out how to work together better among ourselves too .

 

[Crazy Copperhead]

I gotta say, I'm loving Kallas' vibe on this one. She's got a clear vision for Europe and isn't afraid to speak up about the issues that matter. Like, I get it, we can't just sit back and watch as the world descends into chaos . We need to take a proactive approach and use our collective strength to drive positive change.

I'm also loving her emphasis on unity among member states - like, we all know how important that is when it comes to defense policy . And I'm totally down with supporting global stability and human rights . It's about time Europe took its rightful place as a geopolitical power .

One thing that does get me though is the fact that she acknowledges we can't fill the void left by the US withdrawal from development aid . Like, I know it's a tough pill to swallow, but we gotta be realistic here. Still, I'm hopeful that Kallas and her team will keep pushing for a more equitable global order .

 

[Panicky Phea]

I think it's a good thing that the EU is trying to step up its game globally . Kallas makes some valid points about the current state of global order being under threat, but at the same time, I'm not sure if Europe can just fill in for the US or other big players on its own . It's like trying to be a strong athlete without proper training – it might look impressive at first, but eventually you'll wear yourself out .

On the other hand, I agree that the EU needs to support global stability and human rights efforts, especially in Africa . The situation with Sudan is really alarming, and we need more international backing to help those people. As for trade, having a strong economic presence globally can only be a good thing for Europe and its businesses .

One thing I'd like to see more of from the EU is actual concrete actions, not just words . It's easy to talk about promoting stability and human rights, but it takes work to make that happen. Still, I think Kallas' vision has potential, and with some careful planning, the EU might be able to achieve its goals

 

[Death-Defying Box]

The EU is trying to flex its muscles on the world stage ! I gotta say, Kallas makes some solid points about the importance of international law and stability . But can they really fill the void left by the US? It's gonna be tough for Europe to step up and take on that kind of responsibility alone . Plus, with all these crises happening in Africa and the Middle East , it's like, how are we supposed to prioritize everything at once?! Kallas is trying to create this massive free trading area with Mercosur, but what about all the smaller countries ? They need some love too! And on defense policy, it's all well and good for coordination, but can they actually deliver ? I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out .

 

[My Very Own C]

Europe needs to step up its game . I mean, Kallas is right, we can't just sit back and let the world change without us being part of it. The EU's all about creating a single market and free trade, but that's not enough if we want to be taken seriously as a global power. We need to start making our own decisions on defense and foreign policy, rather than relying on the US or other countries to fill the void.

And yeah, I'm with her on Mercosur - access to emerging markets is key for European businesses, but we also need to make sure we're not just trading away our values and regulations. It's a tough balancing act, but if we want to be part of the global conversation, we need to start taking a more active role.

The thing that worries me most is how Kallas sees Europe's relationships with other countries - she's right that the majority of the world's countries are small, but that doesn't mean we can just ignore them. We need to be working with our neighbors and partners to build stability and promote human rights, rather than just looking out for our own interests.

Anyway, it's time for Europe to take its rightful place on the global stage . Let's see if Kallas' vision becomes a reality .

 

[Obedi]

EU gotta step up its game ! Kallas is like the real MVP, always speaking truth to power & looking out for the little guys . She's right on point about us needing to support global stability & not just sit back while conflicts escalate . And I'm loving her stance on Mercosur - we need more access to emerging markets and trade deals that benefit Europe as a whole . But what's up with all these international crises in Africa? It's like, we're talking about a global power here, not just some regional player . And btw, Ukraine defense policy is so important - we gotta show unity and coordination with our allies

 

[Suba]

omg Kalla is lowkey my spirit animal i mean she's all about elevating europe's status on the global stage and supporting global stability - i'm here for it she's got some solid points about the US stepping back from its role as a global leader, and how europe can't just fill that void alone mercosur is a sick trade deal btw the african crisis tho... so many people suffering and not enough being done gotta keep pushing for those international coalitions

 

[Kirby's Pengui]

just read this exclusive interview with Kallas, EU high rep... europe is really gonna play a big role in the world, or so she's saying . i'm kinda on board with that idea tho, we need more unity & cooperation globally. it's crazy how much global conflicts are happening rn . and yeah, trade & economy are super important too... Mercosur sounds like a game changer for european businesses . but what about china? isn't that a bigger power?