EU’s Kallas urges more strategic action to keep geopolitical role

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Monday that the European Union must adopt a more strategic approach if it wishes to remain a relevant geopolitical actor, as global development aid continues to decline.

Better alignment of tools needed

Speaking in Brussels ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council focused on development, Kallas said Europe remains “the largest donor in the world of humanitarian aid and development aid,” but stressed that resources must be used more effectively. “That means that we have to match our tools … to the needs of our partners, but also to take into consideration our own interests,” she added. She pointed to limited resources under initiatives such as the Global Gateway, saying: “We have to be more strategic about this, where our input has the most impact.”

Flexible partnerships and Iran war fallout

Kallas indicated that the EU should remain flexible in its partnerships, noting: “If a partner supports Russia or Iran, then … we can realign our engagement.” She also warned about the wider impact of the war in Iran, particularly on vulnerable populations. “We see the energy prices rising, we see the inflation, … and also the crisis of fertilizers that … might bring about famine,” she said. The EU, she added, is deepening cooperation with regional actors, including Gulf countries, while continuing to support UN efforts to assist those most affected. Türkiye, as an EU candidate and a key regional power, continues to engage with the bloc on development, trade, and migration issues, while monitoring the EU’s evolving strategic posture.