Sadness spread across Europe with the news of the passing of former Estonian Prime Minister and former European Commissioner, Siim Kallas, who died at the age of 77. The announcement was made by Kaja Kallas, his daughter, through a post on social media.
Mourning for Kaja Kallas: “My beloved father, Siim Kallas, passed away last night”
“With sadness, I announce that my beloved father, Siim Kallas, passed away last night,” wrote the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram.
Who was Siim Kallas
Siim Kallas was Estonia’s first European Commissioner, taking office in 2004. He was initially responsible for economic and monetary affairs under the then-President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. He later served as Vice-President of the Commission and Commissioner for Transport, from 2010 to 2014.
An economist by training, Kallas began his political and public career as Governor of the Bank of Estonia in 1991. In that role, he played a pivotal part in the country’s monetary reform, including the introduction of the Estonian currency following the restoration of the country’s independence.
In 1994, he founded the liberal Estonian Reform Party, and in 1995 he was elected to the Estonian parliament, subsequently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
A key role in Estonia’s path to Europe
Kallas was one of the most significant political figures in Estonia’s drive to join the European Union. As Foreign Minister, he was actively involved in the country’s European integration process, and he served as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2003, during a critical period for Estonia’s accession to European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.
During his tenure as Prime Minister, Estonia completed its accession negotiations with the European Union and received an invitation to join NATO.
Metsola: Estonia and Europe are better because of his life’s work
“I think of the courage it took to rebuild a state and introduce its own currency in the early 1990s, and the quiet conviction he brought with him to Brussels,” wrote European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in a social media post. “Estonia and Europe are better because of his life’s work,” she added.
Kurbusega sain teada endise peaministri ja @EU_Commission asepresidendi Siim Kallase lahkumisest.
Mõtlen julgusele, mida nõudis riigi ülesehitamine ja oma valuuta käibelevõtt 1990. aastate alguses ning vaiksele veendumusele, mille ta aastaid hiljem Brüsselisse kaasa tõi. Eesti… pic.twitter.com/gyydnh36X5
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) August 22, 2026
For its part, the European Commission noted that, “through his public career, he helped shape Estonia’s path to the EU and key European policies.”
His daughter, Kaja Kallas, served as Prime Minister of Estonia from 2021 to 2024, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Since December 2024, she has served as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, under President Ursula von der Leyen.
