The statement comes in an interview with TT and several other news agencies in the European news agency cooperation European Newsroom (ENR) on Wednesday.
The EU supports the two-state solution. If the Palestinians do not have their rights respected, neither will Israel be able to have any security. Gaza is an essential part of a future Palestinian state, says Kallas, among other things, to ENR.
At the same time, she wants to see increased EU presence and engagement in the area.
We get a lot of criticism for not having supported the Palestinians enough – but it's us who do it, not the Arab countries, says Kallas, primarily referring to the economic support to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa.
"Raise the flag"
The fact that the new US administration has cut off the enormous aid and development assistance from USAID has led to wishes for the EU to step in instead.
But that's not going to happen.
We agree that we cannot automatically fill those gaps with European money. Firstly, we don't have that kind of money, and secondly, this is an opportunity for us to increase our geopolitical power, says Kallas.
The EU already supports many of the organizations that have also received money from USAID, but more in the background. Now Kallas hopes for increased visibility.
We look at our strategic interests and where we do (support organizations) we must be more visible and raise the EU flag, so that countries know it and also our own citizens: that we are the predictable and reliable partner in the world, says Kallas.
Ukraine and the USA
In the interview, she also talks about wishes for continued good relations with the new US leadership, not least when it comes to Ukraine.
The EU expects to be part of the discussions about the country's future.
Europe needs to be at the table. We may see things differently, or more clearly, compared to those who are farther away, says the EU's foreign chief to ENR.
Kaja Kallas (born 1977) has been the EU's foreign chief since December 1, 2024.
She was previously the Prime Minister of Estonia 2021-24, party leader of the liberal Reform Party 2018-24, and an EU parliamentarian 2014-18. Her father Siim Kallas (born 1948) has also been the country's Prime Minister 2002-03 and EU Commissioner 2004-14.
The post of foreign chief – formally the High Representative in foreign and security policy – has only existed since 2010 and was previously held by British Catherine Ashton (2010-14), Italian Federica Mogherini (2014-19), and Spanish Josep Borrell (2019-24).
