"The new minister must understand foreign policies and security policies, as Estonia is already preparing to gain the EU presidency next year. Much work lies ahead," Estonia's parliamentary National Defense Committee Chairman Marko Mihkelson told the ETV+ channel.
The Estonian government's foreign ministry portfolio belongs to the Reform party, which has the largest mandate in parliament and is in a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party and the conservative Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. Previously, Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas stated that a new foreign minister would be appointed before the end of the week.
"I think that the next foreign minister should be a politician. Of course, it would be good if he has the necessary experience, passion and interest in foreign policy," the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee head Sven Mikser said.
A likely candidate for the post is Kalle Palling, who is currently the parliamentary European Union Affairs Committee chairman. He stated that he had not discussed the matter with Roivas but would consider such a proposal should it be made.
Estonia is due to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July 2017, after Malta serves in the rotating position between January and June. The current Slovakian presidency ends in December.
