Reklaam

Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
4698 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

President of the Riigikogu: EU perspective and NATO door must remain open to Ukraine  

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and Sweden in Riga today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas stated that the Western countries would not abandon Ukraine, who is fighting for the democratic world order, and that the NATO door and the membership perspective of the European Union had to remain open to Ukraine.

President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas, Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and Deputy Speaker of the Riksdag (Parliament) of Sweden Åsa Lindestam met in Riga today and gave a joint press conference.

Ratas said at the press conference that the NATO door had to remain open to every country that fulfils the membership requirements. “The admission decision will not be dictated by any non-member no matter how aggressive. Ukraine will be free to choose its own path,” Ratas underlined. In his opinion, Ukraine also deserves and needs the membership perspective of the EU. “The Ukrainians showed their resolve already back in 2014 and they have done a great job in reforming the society in the last eight years. These efforts should be taken into account in the perspective of the future membership,” Ratas explained.

“Today we have discussed what more we could do to support Ukraine and Ukrainians in their fight,” Ratas said. “In addition to what the members of EU and NATO have already done, we have to show more resolve to repel the aggressor and to hold it accountable for its actions. The sanctions must be fully targeted and implemented at the highest level.”

Ratas thinks that it goes without saying that both the military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine must continue until the war is over. We are also ready to provide help to the people fleeing the war.

Ratas pointed out that the Parliaments could help Ukraine by adopting national statements and resolutions, by demonstrating our support to Ukraine in parliamentary assemblies and international organizations, by demanding immediate secession of the Russian aggression and withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine.

Ratas said at the press conference that in last few days the world had witnessed a gross breach of the international law, aggression against a sovereign state and brutal human rights violations. “This was not a surprise – the aggressor did not hide his plans,” Ratas added, and recalled that this vile crime against a sovereign state reminded us of something similar from the last century, when the Soviet Union used the same tactic in November 1939 attacking Finland. “Stalin lost the war back then and Putin will also lose it.”

Photos of the meeting Saeima of Latvia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Common policies for public sector API development

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — The Ministry of Finance has published common policies and recommendations for the development of application programming interfaces (APIs) in the public sector. The API principles are organised into three levels: strategic, tactical and operative.Strategic principles apply to the organisation’s management. These principles describe how the direction and goals of API development should be defined and how APIs should be taken into account in the development of operations. Tactical principles apply to those in charge of developing information management in the organisation. They guide the management of API development and the organisation’s system of APIs. Operative principles apply to those who develop and maintain APIs. They guide the development and maintenance of individual APIs.The API principles are intended for use by the entire public administration in interface development and information system procurement. The goal of the principles is to increase customer orientation, cooperation, semantic and technical interoperability, reusability, attention to information security and data protection, and quality in API development.The API principles will be used in the national implementation of the European Commission’s recommendations on an API Framework for digital government. The principles were prepared in an open process with the participation of stakeholders and experts. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will take over the maintenance of the Public Administration API Principles from 2022.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

EU decision-making on closing its airspace to Russian air traffic progresses

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — Decision-making by EU countries concerning closing their airspace to Russian air traffic is progressing. Finland is preparing to act according to the policies agreed in the EU. We will make further announcements as soon as more information on the matter is available.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

Speakers of the Baltic and Swedish parliaments meet in Riga

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas participates in the meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and Sweden in Riga, where mutual cooperation and the security situation in Europe following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine will be discussed.

The purpose of the meeting is to have a coordinated discussion on the strengthening of our region’s deterrence and defence capabilities in the context of the current security situation. Using of diplomatic means to put pressure on Russia, implementation of a strong sanctions package and supporting Ukraine will also be spoken of at the meeting.

President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas, Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and Speaker of the Riksdag (Parliament) of Sweden Andreas Norlén will meet in Riga.

At 1.30 p.m., they will give a joint press conference, which will be streamed live on the Riigikogu Facebook page.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

National Defence Committee proposed an additional sitting to discuss security situation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At its extraordinary sitting today, the National Defence Committee decided to submit a request to the President of the Riigikogu to convene an additional sitting of the Riigikogu on Tuesday, 1 March, at 10 a.m.

The Committee made a proposal by consensus to the Board of the Riigikogu to convene an additional sitting to discuss the European security situation in light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as a matter of significant national importance.

Reports would be made by Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet and Chairman of the National Defence Committee Enn Eesmaa. The request proposes that the reports would be followed by questions to the speakers and comments by the representatives of political groups and members of the Riigikogu.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Finland sends additional aid to Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — On the proposal of the Government, the President of the Republic decided today that Finland will increase its aid to Ukraine and also provide military protective equipment to assist the country.The aid is granted under the Act on the Making of Decisions Concerning the Provision of and Request for International Assistance. The Ministry of Defence is the authority responsible for the aid. Finland will send to Ukraine 2,000 bulletproof vests, 2,000 composite helmets, 100 stretchers as well as equipment for two emergency medical care stations. The Government also granted Estonia a licence to re-export to Ukraine artillery guns and their ammunition, which Estonia had previously purchased from Finland.Finland supports the initiative of the EU High Representative to use the European Peace Facility to assist Ukraine also in the form of military materials.In addition, Finland will send humanitarian material assistance to Ukraine through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism in the next few days. The assistance includes tents and medical protective equipment. Finland will collect and provide more material to Ukraine in the coming weeks. The Ministry of the Interior is the authority responsible for the assistance and it will be coordinated by Europe’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), which received Ukraine’s request. Several EU Member States have responded to the request. Finland decided already on 17 and 24 February to grant Ukraine a total of EUR 14 million in new financial support. Of this, EUR 8.2 million is humanitarian assistance and EUR 5.8 million is development cooperation funding. In total, Finland’s support to Ukraine for 2014–2022 will be approximately EUR 85 million.Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Finland supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, self-determination and territorial integrity. Russia’s military operations have caused a large-scale humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. The EU foreign ministers will discuss additional assistance to Ukraine in the evening of Sunday 27 February. The Government will inform Parliament of the matter and will also assess the possibility of new support measures.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

President of the Republic and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Russia’s attack on Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — On Sunday 27 February, the President of the Republic and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Ukraine following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. They also discussed assistance to Ukraine.

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

UK military convoy arrives in Tapa with first part of reinforcements for the NATO Battlegroup

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

After a few days journey from the Sennelager exercise area in northern Germany, a military convoy with six Challenger Main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles from the UK military’s Royal Welsh Regiment arrived in Tapa today, marking the beginning of the arrival of the Royal Welsh to Estonia.

“The integration of Allied units into our defence is not a threat to Russia mentioned by Putin or a violation of his security interests. This is the West’s reaction to the aggressive behaviour of the Russian Federation,” said Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Lieutenant General Martin Herem.

Over the next few days, over 900 soldiers from the Royal Welsh will be deployed to Estonia, as well as additional vehicles and equipment for the battlegroup. When all the elements have arrived, the Royal Welsh will replace the Royal Tank Regiment as the leading element in the NATO Battlegroup in Tapa and will be integrated into the 1st Brigade of the Estonian Defence Forces.

“Sending an additional Allied unit at a difficult time shows that we can count on our allies even in the most difficult times. Delegation of these units under Estonian command shows confidence and trust in our Defence Forces,” said Lieutenant General Herem.

The Royal Tank Regiment will stay in Tapa over the next few months and will be working closely with the EDF brigades.

“After careful consideration with our Estonian partners, we made the decision to significantly strengthen our military presence in Estonia for the time being,” says Colonel Dai Bevan, Commander of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia. “The UK is certainly not the only Allied nation to bolster its presence in the Baltic region in order to increase deterrence against any hostile activity. But it is important to remember that these reinforcements are purely defensive in nature, and they demonstrate our enduring commitment to the security of Estonia and other states in this region.”

“The commitment of an additional regiment to the NATO Battle Group will allow us to expand our cooperation and involve the 2nd Infantry Brigade more closely in cooperation with the Allied units,” said Lieutenant General Herem.

At the Warsaw Summit in June 2016, the leaders of NATO’s 28 members decided to deploy NATO battlegroups to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland due to the changed security environment. The leading country of the NATO Battlegroup in Estonia is the United Kingdom, with France and Denmark as contributing countries. The first battle group arrived in Tapa in April 2017.

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Marko Mihkelson: It is time to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country for the EU

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson said in his speech at the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy in Paris today that time had come to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country for membership in the European Union.  

Mihkelson delivered a speech at the Conference, in which he called on his colleagues from Member States to immediately do everything in their power that our unity and solidarity would transform into real support to Ukraine. “Each delay may be a threat to the freedom of the whole Europe,” Mihkelson pointed out.

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu invited his colleagues to give an affirmative answer to the 70 per cent of the Ukrainians who wanted to see their country in the European Union. “Ukraine is welcome to become a member of the European Union,” he said.

Mihkelson emphasised in his speech that the free world had to put an end to the unpunished war crimes committed by the leadership of the Russian Federation. “No crime against humanity must remain unpunished,” Mihkelson underlined.

Mihkelson called on all Member States of the EU to protect freedom of speech and find ways to stop broadcasting Russia’s war propaganda channels in Europe.

The original programme of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy, held in Paris today, was cancelled yesterday after Russia launched extensive military activities in Ukraine. The new programme included only items relating to Ukraine. Chairman of the National Defence Committee Enn Eesmaa participated in the Conference via a video bridge.

The representatives of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees of the national parliaments of the European Union and of the European Parliament jointly adopted a declaration, in which they condemn in the strongest terms the Russian military aggression in Ukraine and express their absolute solidarity with the state of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and the legitimate authorities of Ukraine.

Text of the Declaration

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Finland grants additional support to Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — Finland strongly condemns Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. On 24 February, the Government decided to supplement its support to Ukraine by EUR 10 million of new funding.Finland will allocate EUR 3.3 million from the exclusive ODA budget item administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to the “Partnership Fund for Resilient Ukraine”. This means that Finland’s total support to the fund will rise to EUR 4.3 million. The fund was set up by the United Kingdom in partnership with Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. The purpose of the fund is to support widely the sustainability of Ukraine’s local administration, civil society organisations, local communities and the private sector in the midst of war. Of the additional funding of EUR 6.7 million, to be directed to humanitarian assistance, EUR 3.7 million will be channelled via the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and EUR 3 million via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Both organisations play an important role in the protection of civilians. The UNHCR also maintains emergency stocks in different parts of the country and is prepared for changes in the refugee situation in the region. The ICRC works to meet people’s basic needs and aims to strengthen respect for and implementation of international humanitarian law in dialogue with the parties to the conflict.“The situation is serious and highly exceptional. It is important that Finland shows solidarity with Ukraine and people in Ukraine also through concrete actions. The additional funding will increase Finland’s assistance to Ukraine in the first months of the year to EUR 14 million,” says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari. On 17 February, due to the deteriorated situation in Ukraine, Finland made a decision on a one-off additional grant of EUR 4 million to the country. Of this, EUR 2.5 million comes from the exclusive ODA administered by the Ministry and EUR 1.5 million is humanitarian assistance through international organizations. Finland’s support to Ukraine in 2014–2022 will be EUR 86 million. Support has been provided in the form of projects, funding for the activities of international organisations, humanitarian assistance and seconded experts. Finland has supported Ukraine, among other things, through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and participation in mine clearance and civilian crisis management. 

Source: Valtioneuvosto.fi

1...130131132...470Page 131 of 470