College readout: press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas

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Good afternoon. 

Before updating you on the college meeting, I would like to quickly mention the ongoing work we do on Ukraine. We also had the Security College talking about this. We have the Defence Ministers from the Coalition of the Willing meeting virtually today to discuss our support for Ukraine.  

It is clear that Russia shows no real wish to end this war. We have seen, last night, strikes on Ukraine again. We need to address the consequences of this. For Europe, this can only mean one thing: more military, diplomatic and economic support for Ukraine. In the event of a truce, a strong Ukrainian military is the strongest security guarantee there is. That is why we are also supporting them with training, funding and equipment.  

While Western leaders gather in diplomacy, an autocratic alliance is seeking a fast track to a new world order. Looking at President Xi standing alongside the leaders of Russia, Iran, and North Korea in Beijing today. These are not just anti-Western optics; this is a direct challenge to the international system built on rules. And it is not just symbolic: Russia’s war in Ukraine is being sustained by Chinese support. These are realities that Europe needs to confront. 

Now, on the College meeting.  

The Commission put forward proposals today for new deals with Mercosur and Mexico. Mercosur will be the EU’s biggest trade deal to date - a free trade area with 700 million customers. This is a key trade pact and a strategic step for European global influence.  

With Mexico, we are revitalising one of our longest standing trade partnerships to boost economic growth and competitiveness on both sides.  

Europe is strengthening existing alliances and creating new relations where all involved will benefit. The economic case for these deals is self-evident. They will create billions of euros worth of export opportunities, contribute to economic growth and support hundreds of thousands of European jobs.  

But these agreements go beyond trade. They are an example of the EU’s fundamental commitment to build alliances that protect both sides. We are reinforcing the EU’s global partnerships to boost resilience, defend shared values and uphold the rules-based international order.   

Second, on EU-United States trade.  

The EU and the U.S. sealed a deal in July. Commissioner Šefčovič spent many hours negotiating with his US counterparts, during this mandate. It is clear that the deal ensures stability in the world’s largest trading partnership, provides predictability for our companies and strengthens transatlantic relations.  Today, the College discussed the next steps in the implementation. Of course, Commissioner Šefčovič will update you on the details in a minute.  

Finally, the College today also approved the final elements of the EU’s long-term budget, including those related to the Single Market, nuclear safety and justice.  

To recall, our proposed budget for the period between 2028 to 2034 is worth €2 trillion. It will protect European citizens, strengthen the European social model and make the European industry stronger. As part of the budget, we’ve proposed a ten-fold increase in funding in military mobility, and a five-fold increase in defence investment. As with every budget, we can expect very tough negotiations, we know from the previous years it has been quite intensive, but it is in everyone’s interest we get this over the line. 

Thank you from my side.  

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-276023 

Q&A. 

Q. Bernd Lange, the chair of the intertrade committee in the Parliament today, said, how can you tell the global south that you are opening your markets wider to EU-US food products and not to them? I mean, if you are fighting this battle to do deals with the global south and to move them away from China. Because in that meeting in China, we saw many, many African countries, Brazil indeed, as well. So what is the EU offer in this new geopolitical world?  

Of course, it is more a question to Maros, but on my side, I can tell you that everywhere we go, be it African countries or Asian countries, there is a huge interest in diversifying the investment and trade portfolios. That is why we are, of course, working not only to have trade agreements, but also to have agreements on critical raw materials and different areas of interest.  

What is the European offer? The European offer is very clear. We are coming to really have equal partnerships, not to deplete the resources that are there, but see the mutual benefits for both sides, really, so that the countries would also benefit from this kind of relationship. But on trade, of course, Maros will look into this more. 

Q. What is the political message that the European Commission is sending today to Mexico, after the decision taken today by the College? And considering the timetable of the European Union, when we could expect that they enter into force the agreement with Mexico? 

The Commissioner for trade can give you the details, but what we heard today in the college is that there is a celebration of this agreement, and I think there was wide understanding as well: we already have that relationship; we are deepening that relationship even further to have mutual benefits for both sides. It is a good message for the consumers on both sides, that we are opening up our markets, so that there is access for companies, but also for customers to have more competitive products. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-276587