NordenBladet —
The meeting of the Speakers will be hosted by President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar, who said that the Speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States, Finland and Poland would symbolically come together in Tartu already today, on the 105th anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty. The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine will also participate in the official meeting tomorrow morning via video bridge. “This month marks 11 years since the start of Russia´s war of aggression and three years since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine The main focus of our meeting is achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in Europe,” Hussar pointed out.
Hussar noted that in order to achieve a just peace, the Western world must now sharpen its focus to support Ukraine in every way in its fight against the aggressor, and do much more by tightening sanctions and enforcing them more effectively to deprive Russia of the economic means to continue the war. The Speakers will also discuss supporting Ukraine on its path towards EU and NATO membership.
Another key issue the Speakers will discuss is Russia’s intensifying hybrid actions, including acts of sabotage in the Baltic Sea as well as other hybrid operations that have taken place in recent months. “Parliaments shape the legislative space, and one of the objectives of the meeting of the Speakers is to coordinate the legislative activities of our countries to better protect the Baltic Sea region and our countries against such operations,” Hussar said.
Relations with the United States and the situation in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus will also be discussed at the Speakers’ meeting.
The meeting will be attended by the President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Eduskunta of Finland Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis, and Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Szymon Hołownia. Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk will participate in the official meeting via video bridge.
The Speakers will adopt a joint declaration and give a joint press conference in the assembly hall of the University of Tartu. After that, the Speakers from the five countries present will hold an public debate with students on achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Opening words will be delivered by Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, and the discussion will be moderated by Professor of Comparative Politics Piret Ehin.
Programme on Monday, 3 February
8:30 – official meeting of the Speakers at the University of Tartu.
10:20 – press conference of the Speakers in the assembly hall of the University of Tartu. The press conference can be followed live either with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian or in English. Video recording will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
11:00 – debate of the Speakers and the students “How to Achieve a Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine and Europe” in the assembly hall of the University of Tartu. The debate can be followed live either with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian or in English. Video recording will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
Photos (will be added in accordance with the programme; author: Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Speakers of six countries discuss supporting Ukraine and fighting against Russia’s sabotage in Tartu
Source: Parliament of Estonia