The 47-year-old former Estonian leader is expected to take office in December. In addition to the functions of head of European diplomacy, she was also appointed vice-president of the European Commission, like her predecessor. Its mandate, like that of the rest of the Commission, is five years.
“It won’t be an easy five years,” she admitted. “I see coalitions of autocrats forming around us and threatening geopolitical upheavals taking place across the world,” she warned MEPs.
Why the election of Donald Trump is embarrassing for Vladimir Putin
“We must be aware that there is a threat and respond appropriately with our closest allies and partners without giving up anything on our values,” she added.
Asked about Donald Trump’s return to the White House, she insisted on her desire to meet with him and his team to “develop common policies.”
“The EU and the United States are stronger and more secure when we work together,” she stressed.
