Baltic States – CIS, EU – Baltic States, Legislation

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"There was an idea about candidates, but no one has been nominated [by the President of the European Council Herman Van] Rompuy. No names were mentioned," Straujuma said. "I believe that on August 30, we will know the names both for the European Council president's position and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs."

When asked about yesterday's meeting with the newly-elected European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Straujuma said that the meeting was positive, however, the possible position of Valdis Dombrovskis' (Unity) on the European Commission was not discussed.

As reported, with the summit approaching, debates concerning Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini have resumed.

Before the summit, Poland and the Baltic States strictly objected against her candidacy for the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs' position.

During the summit, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite was asked to list the qualities that one requires in order to hold this position, The Local indicates.

"Experience, neutrality toward the geo-political problems that we are currently encountering, and not being pro-Kremlin," Grybauskaite replied.

When asked "if the problem is that Mrs. Mogherini...", Grybauskaite said: "It is a problem. It is."

The name of Estonian former Prime Minister, now Commissioner-designate Andrus Ansip has been mentioned as a serious candidate in discussions over candidates for European Union's top positions, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said after the European Council meeting that ended early Thursday morning in Brussels, LETA/Äripäev.ee reports.

"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 Rõivas. "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 favoured candidate is current Prime Minister of Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

"We did not reach final decisions, we are looking for a consensus," said Rõivas, praising that important questions are not resolved with a ballot, which would leave a number of member states dissatisfied.

Rõivas said the agreement was not concluded, since the aim is to have a so-called package-deal: that the balance of political forces and the percentage of women and men were in place in the top positions. Also, 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. Rõivas said Estonia would be interested in such a Commissioner's portfolio that meets the Estonian national strategic interests.