The Riigikogu heard the annual report by Minister of Defence

Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur began his speech by recalling recent history, pointing out that, in 1993, Estonia’s defence budget had been only 8 million euro, but in 2026 it would be over 2 billion euro and in four years a total of over 10 billion euro. “This represents more than five percent of our national wealth, which is being directed toward strengthening Estonia’s independent defence capabilities. This is 250,000 – I emphasize, 250,000 – times more than the first defence budgets of the newly independent Estonia,“ Pevkur said.

The minister emphasized that Estonia had made remarkable progress over the past 30 years, economically surpassing all former Soviet Union countries and significantly reducing the gap with Finland. “Today, Estonia is not just a survivor, but a role model – proof that a free nation, however small, can rise, develop, and bear responsibility. Estonia is no longer weak and troubled, but strong and upright. Estonia is capable of defending its freedom, home, and peace on its own,” Pevkur said.

The Minister of Defence highlighted Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine and emphasised the need to maintain pressure on Russia and support Ukraine. “We all, including our allies today, know that Russia understands only force. What is happening in Ukraine only confirms this historical rule. Therefore, our choice can only be one – to provide Ukraine with as much and more military assistance as possible and to keep Russia under constant pressure with all the means at our disposal, including sanctions,” Pevkur emphasized.

Pevkur thanked the Estonian people and all political parties who had supported the increase in defence spending and called on the Riigikogu to also approve the 5% defence spending level in the national security concept in the long term. “Of course, it has not been an easy road, because everyone knows that money does not grow on trees or come out of walls. It is collected at the expense of all our daily needs and habits. At the same time, we are proving that, for Estonians, their country and freedom outweigh inconveniences such as tax increases.”

The Minister also introduced specific steps for developing Estonia’s defence capabilities: “Currently, our wartime structure consists of approximately 44,000 active-duty personnel, reservists, members of the Defence League, and allied units. Here today, in front of you, I say that our goal is to increase this number to 55,000 within the next ten years.” He emphasized that increasing defence spending would enable the development of an air defence brigade, strengthen the navy, invest in infrastructure and ammunition, and support the domestic defence industry.

Pevkur emphasized that people were the backbone of Estonia’s defence capabilities: “The backbone of Estonia’s defence capability, through the national will to defend, is our people – trained active-duty personnel, conscripts, and reservists, whose preparation requires years and whose combat readiness requires consistent training, motivation, and support from society.” According to the minister, allowances for conscripts and reservists will be increased, salaries for active-duty personnel will be raised, and investments will be made in training.

To conclude his speech, Pevkur affirmed: “I repeat here clearly and without hesitation – as Minister of Defence, I do not intend to sit idly by and wait for a Russian boot to step on Estonian territory. We must act quickly and precisely. We must continue to strengthen Estonia’s national defence and increase its defence capability through planned activities at an accelerated pace.”

Kalev Stoicescu from the Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, Urmas Reinsalu from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Raimond Kaljulaid from the Social Democratic Party Group, Martin Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Kristo-Enn Vaga from the Reform Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate. Peeter Ernits took the of the floor on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group.

A Bill passed the first reading

At today’s sitting, the Bill on Amendments to the Savings and Loan Associations Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts  (671 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading. Its aim is to increase the transparency of savings and loan associations and the activity of their members, and to guide associations towards a form of bank or association bank operating under greater supervision. Currently, the activities of savings and loan associations are not subject to financial supervision. The amendments will increase the credibility of associations.

The reform will be implemented in three stages between 2025 and 2029. In the first stage, the establishment of new associations and the advertising of deposit interest rates will be prohibited, and membership fees and contributions for new members will also be increased. In the second stage, authorization and the conclusion of loan and deposit agreements will be restricted, members’ rights will be strengthened, and management and control requirements will be tightened. In the third stage, associations wishing     to accept deposits over time will have to reorganize their activities into an association bank and apply for an operating license from the Financial Supervision Authority. It will be possible to continue as a payment institution or creditor, but those ceasing operations will have to officially notify this.

Helir-Valdor Seeder from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.

Isamaa Parliamentary Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 12 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection and 41 were against it.

The sitting ended at 1.48 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee    

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard the annual report by Minister of Defence

Source: Parliament of Estonia