Siim Kallas, Father of Kaja Kallas, Dies at 77

Former Estonian Prime Minister and European Commissioner Siim Kallas has died at the age of 77. The news was announced by his daughter, Kaja Kallas, who currently serves as the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, according to Politico.

Siim Kallas was one of the key figures in modern Estonian politics. As an economist, he became president of the Estonian Central Bank in 1991 and played a role in the country's fundamental monetary reform.

In 1994, he founded the liberal Reform Party and later served as foreign minister. During this period, he also oversaw Estonia's efforts to join the European Union.

He became prime minister in 2002, when the country completed its EU accession negotiations and received an invitation to join NATO.

After Estonia joined the EU, Kallas became the country's first European commissioner in 2004. He later served as vice president of the European Commission and as European commissioner for transport.

(mja)