Former PM lined up for top EU role

  • 2014-07-17
  • From wire reports, TALLINN

Former Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip

Former Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip has been mentioned as a serious candidate for a top role in the EU, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas has said.

The Prime Minister's comments come after European Council talks that ended Thursday in Brussels, reports Aripaev Online.

"The fact that an Estonian is considered worthy of Europe's absolute top position is a great recognition for both the work of Andrus Ansip as the prime minister as well as to the Estonian state," said Roivas.

"It means that it was the right decision by Estonia to send a strong candidate."

The Council did not reach an agreement at the session, though, of who would be the next EU Foreign Policy High Representative, and who will chair the European Council after Herman Van Rompuy. Ansip's name has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the role of European Council head, where the most favored candidate is current Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

"We did not reach final decisions, we are looking for a consensus," said Roivas.

Roivas said the agreement was not concluded, since the aim is to include a balance of political forces and the percentage of women and men were in top positions. At least one candidate should be from a country that joined the EU in 2004 or later.

During the next week, all member states should submit their candidates for Commissioners' posts. Roivas said Estonia would be interested in a commissioner's that meets the Estonian national strategic interests.