Prime Minister Kallas: Europe is shaped by its shared principles and values rather than its geography

The Estonian head of government pointed out that the strength of the European Union is based on its shared principles and values. Quoting former president Lennart Meri, she said: “Europe is not geography. Europe is a unity of principles and an allegiance to principles. Principles shape geography – geography does not shape principles.”

Prime Minister Kallas also spoke of the impact of crises on EU unity. “Crises bind us more closely together, and we have learned valuable lessons from those we have ridden out in the past,” she remarked. “For example, we were able to adopt a single COVID certificate very quickly, which shows that when we need to, we are more than capable of acting decisively and effectively.”
The Estonian head of government says that although Europe is more united than ever, work still needs to be done in the name of that unity. “The EU’s position in response to Russia’s aggression has been unanimous and unwavering, but there has been a lot of talking back and forth between us all to achieve that,” she said. “Unity falls apart in the face of indecision, which is why holding the line is so important in the event of an enduring crisis.”

Prime Minister Kallas stressed that Estonia has always championed the enlargement of the European Union. “Just a few days ago I had a good meeting with the new Bulgarian Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, and I hope progress will soon be made in accession talks with North Macedonia,” she said.

Today’s panel, entitled ‘Back to Elysium: Fostering European Cohesion’, was introduced by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of Croatia. Taking part in the subsequent panel discussion alongside Prime Minister Kallas were Prime Minister Alexander de Croo of Belgium, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares of Spain and leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany Friedrich Merz. The panel was moderated by Jana Puglierin, the head of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations.