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The Riigikogu heard replies to four interpellations

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellations concerning the impact of tax amendments on the state budget  (No. 648) and planned changes in excise duty (No. 651) submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

The interpellators wished to know which parties the Ministry of Finance used when making additional specific forecasts, such as Eesti Pank, higher education institutions and private sector experts.

According to Ligi, the Ministry of Finance has a large number of cooperation partners. In forecasting the effects of the state’s activities, the state has built competence in various ministries, and of course there is close cooperation with them. Outside the ministries, Eesti Pank is the most important partner, but it is more at the macro level. Cooperation partners also include think tanks, commercial banks, and, of course, economic advisers to the Prime Minister and the President. “For bigger jobs, things are outsourced to universities, think tanks, audit firms, research agencies and so on,” Ligi explained.

Answering the question as to what the action plan of the Ministry of Finance was so that the increase in tobacco excise duty or alcohol excise duty would not lead to an increase in trading in the border areas and smuggling, Ligi said, “We do not have these measures. But, of course, the tax office has prepared against smuggling and the share of contraband is actually quite modest.” 

“It is rather more complicated in the case of tobacco in terms of percentage. But illegal alcohol is no longer as important an issue in Estonia as it was in the past. One of the reasons, of course, is that the borders of Russia and Belarus have been closed. But the smuggling industry has also moved to the Baltic countries. We have goods coming in from the south, so we are alert,” Ligi explained. 

Ligi answered a question about the latest data on receipts: “The latest data are that receipts are slightly lower than last year. 19 million euro was received in alcohol excise duty in August, and 139.6 million was received in eight months. 22.7 million of tobacco excise was received in August, and 172.7 million was received in eight months,” Ligi noted. “If you want to conclude that the excise policy has failed, I do not agree with this. However, the aim of the excise duty policy is also to limit consumption. And from that point of view, we can be satisfied when it is said that consumption has fallen,” Ligi remarked.

Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo replied to the interpellations concerning the future of Tartu Agro (No. 655) and the decline in Estonian industrial production (No. 658).

Hele Everaus took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 5.48 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal

+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard replies to four interpellations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

French forces practice rapid air deployment to Estonia during Exercise Pikne

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —As part of the exercise Pikne, approximately 200 soldiers from the French Armed Forces’ 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment arrived at Ämari Air Base today during a rapid deployment drill. The troops, transported by aircraft, relocated to integrate with the NATO multinational battlegroup permanently stationed in Estonia. The joint units …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Snap Exercise Develops as Reservists Prepare for Deployment

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —Reservists from the Engineer Battalion (1st Infantry Brigade) and the Air Defense Battery (Estonian Division), called up for snap exercise Okas 24-2 that began this Tuesday morning, are preparing to move to the exercise area to fulfill their tasks during Exercise Pikne. “The brigade is currently mobilizing the engineer company. …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Foreign Affairs Committee calls on the EU to act on Georgia without losing time

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

In its Statement, the Committee condemns the brutal repression of peaceful demonstrations with the support of advancing Russian imperialism, and calls on ending any use of violence against the people of Georgia.

The Foreign Affairs Committee also urges the EU Member States to react and act swiftly in this increasingly critical situation for democracy in Georgia. “As the situation in Georgia is getting worse every day, we consider it necessary that the countries of the European Union jointly and immediately impose sanctions against those who have illegally seized power as a result of the rigged elections,” the Foreign Affairs Committee said in the Statement. “To end the constitutional crisis and restore democracy, it is inevitable that new parliamentary elections are held in Georgia.”

The Committee expresses its support to the people of Georgia who stand for their country’s democratic and pro-European future, and to President Salome Zurabishvili as the only independent constitutional institution standing for democracy in Georgia.

The Foreign Affairs Committee issued the Statement at its today’s sitting, where the developments in Georgia were discussed. Ambassador of Estonia in Georgia Marge Mardisalu-Kahar gave the Committee an overview of the situation in the country.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Foreign Affairs Committee calls on the EU to act on Georgia without losing time

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Government of the Republic of Estonia approved defence readiness exercise Okas

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —The Government of the Republic of Estonia decided to declare a defence readiness exercise Okas 24-2 (Quill), with up to 250 members of the Engineer Battalion (1st Infantry Brigade) and Air Defence Battery (Estonian Division) ordered to participate in the snap exercise (SNAPEX). Exercise Okas is of a defensive manner, aimed at practicing national defence activities. There is no immediate …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Multinational Military Exercise Pikne Kicked Off In Estonia

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —Today, the two-week long international military exercise Pikne („Lightning“) begins in Estonia, during which supplementary Allied units will be rapidly deployed to Estonia to support and train together with the NATO multinational battlegroup and the Estonian Defence Forces in a simulated war situation. The exercise is led by Estonian Division, …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Estonian and Allied Air Forces Conduct Training Flights in Estonian Airspace as Part of Exercise Pikne

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —From December 2 to 8, Allied Air Forces will conduct training flights in Estonian airspace with fighter jets and transport aircrafts as part of Exercise Pikne, including low-altitude flights. The training flights will take place in designated training areas. The flights will primarily take place in Northeastern Estonia between 8:00 …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Multinational military exercise Pikne to kick off in Estonia on Monday

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —On Monday, December 2, a two-week-long multinational military exercise Pikne (“lightning”) kicks off in Estonia, bringing increased Allied presence and activities on the sea, in the air and on land to North-East Estonia. Exercise Pikne is part of NATO Vigilance Activity Brilliant Eagle, focusing on Allied rapid deployability and interoperability in the Baltic Sea region.    “The aim of the exercise, led by the Estonian Division, …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The European Union Affairs Committee visits Moldova

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

“Estonia supports Moldova’s accession to the European Union and we are always ready to share our experience and support Moldova politically, economically and in the issues of security. The enlargement of the European Union is now more important than ever,” Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said. “At the meetings with the parliamentarians and representatives of the Government of Moldova today we will also focus on new opportunities for cooperation.”

Security situation will also be one of the key issues discussed at the meetings. “One of the main efforts of the hostile influence activities of Putin’s regime has been turning the presidential elections and the EU accession referendum in Moldova towards the outcome the Kremlin wanted, which failed. This is why Moldova’s experience in dealing with Russia’s influence activities is very valuable for us,” Tali said.

Today the delegation will be in Chișinău to have meetings with President of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu, and Chair Ina Coșeru and Deputy Chair Ion Groza of the Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration, as well as with Chairman of the Moldova-Estonia parliamentary friendship group Andrian Cheptonar and members of the parliamentary friendship group.

The members of the European Union Affairs Committee are also planning to meet with Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization Dumitru Alaiba, State Secretary for European Integration Rodica Crudu, and Head of Bureau for Reintegration Policies Alin Gvidiani.

Tomorrow, the delegation will meet with Ambassador of the European Union in Moldova Jānis Mažeiks.

The delegation of the European Union Affairs Committee consists of Chairman of the Committee Peeter Tali and members of the Committee Katrin Kuusemäe, Maido Ruusmann, Luisa Rõivas and Tarmo Tamm.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee visits Moldova

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu supports continuation of the European Capitals of Culture action

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali pointed out that both Tallinn and Tartu were very good examples of the impact of the title, and culture as an economic sector. “Thanks to the title of the Capital of Culture, Tallinn opened up to the sea in 2011 with the creation of the Culture Kilometre. Many of the initiatives that have been launched in Tartu as part of the European Capital of Culture programme are planned to be continued after the end of this year, so the benefits will be long-lasting there as well.”

“Capitals of Culture get a lot of attention, the title brings visibility and tourists to the cities and their surrounding areas, but there is more. Through the European Union’s Capital of Culture action, culture can be developed as an economic sector,” Tali said. “Of course, for us, it is also important for us to preserve cultural identity, promote cultural history and create wider networks.”

The positions approved by the European Union Affairs Committee state that Estonia considers it important to continue with the Capital of Culture action, but it is also necessary to ensure the conditions that would allow the municipalities and cities of small countries to compete for the title. Estonia also believes that it is important to involve cultural experts who are familiar with the circumstances of the candidate country in the election process of the Capital of Culture. Estonia also thinks that the European Capital of Culture prize should be larger in order to raise the quality of the initiative.

The positions of the Government on the public consultation for the 2024 interim evaluation of the European Capitals of Culture action were presented by Minister of Culture Heidy Purga and Adviser on European Union Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Kadri Jauram. The European Union Affairs Committee decided by consensus to support the positions presented by the Government, taking into account the opinion of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

The aim of the consultation is, among other things, to provide input for the selection of the European Capitals of Culture after 2033. By today, the title of the European Capital of Culture has been awarded to more than 60 cities.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports continuation of the European Capitals of Culture action

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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