EU strengthens key leadership positions

European Union (EU) leaders have just signed an agreement to nominate Ms. Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission.

Also as part of the agreement reached at the EU Summit in Brussels on June 27, former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was elected President of the European Council and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas was nominated to take over as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from Josep Borrell.

According to Euronews, both Ms. von der Leyen and Ms. Kallas will have to receive approval from the European Parliament in a secret vote, while Mr. Costa's nomination only needs the approval of EU leaders.

The new leadership line-up represents continuity for the bloc, with moderate pro-EU factions holding top positions despite the rise of the far-right in European Parliament elections earlier this month.

KHANH HUNG