Today and tomorrow, members of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) are on a visit to Switzerland to get an overview of the activities of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and to meet with the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian scientists working there.
Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly Aadu Must said that the CERN laboratory is one of the most prestigious centres for research work in the world, attracting the top experts in their field. “During our two-day visit, we and our Baltic colleagues will get an overview of the activities of the centre and discuss the current and future cooperation with the representatives of the CERN: We also plan to meet with the researchers of our three countries who work in Switzerland,” Must said.
Deputy Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA Sven Sester also participate in the visit.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova is on a visit to Estonia on the invitation of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas.
In the morning, the Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament will have a meeting with the President of the Riigikogu at Toompea and sign the Riigikogu guest book.
The meeting will also be attended by Deputy Chairman of the Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group and member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Mihhail Korb, Deputy Chair of the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Helmen Kütt, and Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski.
In the afternoon, Gafarova will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets, and have a meeting with President Alar Karis in Kadriorg.
Tomorrow, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson will take part in a round table on foreign and security policy at the Estonian Embassy in Moscow. He will give an overview of Estonia’s positions in the complicated international situation of today.
The round table will be attended by students of Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (MGIMO) as well as experts on foreign and security policy. “In the current highly dangerous security policy situation, it is important that our views are voiced also in direct communication in Moscow,” Mihkelson said.
Besides speaking at the round table, Mihkelson will also meet with Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defence Policy of Russia Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Board of the Memorial International Jan Raczynski and Head of the Memorial Human Rights Centre Alexander Cherkasov, as well as Director of Levada Centre Denis Volkov and the Ambassadors of the allied countries in Moscow. He will also have working lunch with Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky.
NordenBladet — This year, Ireland and Finland celebrate 60 years since diplomatic relations were established in 1962.To mark this special occasion, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Mr Pekka Haavisto and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney, T.D., acknowledge the importance of 60 years of excellent bilateral relations and cooperation, and our relations as like-minded multilateral partners.Ireland and Finland are natural partners whose technological and scientific expertise is capable of creating a sustainable green future. As we make this transition, we recognise the potential to learn from one another on how we can protect our biodiversity and reduce emissions, share expertise and work on effective climate mitigation and adaptation approaches.
NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Tehran on 7 February. During the visit, Minister Haavisto will meet, for example, President Ebrahim Raisi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian as well as heads of the Iranian offices of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other representatives of the international community.The topics of discussion during the visit will include bilateral questions and topical foreign and security policy matters, including the situation in Afghanistan. “Finland and Iran established diplomatic relations 90 years ago. Our long relationship enables direct and open discussions. Finland stands also ready to support regional dialogue in an atmosphere of trust,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto.
NordenBladet — Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Doha, Qatar, on 6 February. During his visit, Minister Haavisto will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and representatives of the international community.The topics of discussion during the visit will include bilateral questions and topical foreign and security policy matters, including the situation in Afghanistan. “Finland opened an Embassy in Doha in December 2021. It is now possible for Finland and Qatar to continue to strengthen their political and economic relations and to engage in wider dialogue on various themes”, says minister Haavisto.
NordenBladet – Crown Princess Mary founded the Mary Foundation with a 1.1 million kroner gift from a wedding fund in 2004, raised by the people of Denmark and Greenland. In that time, Mary has used her influence and profile to support and raise awareness for important causes in Denmark.
In 2006, Mary had the idea for the foundation and officially launched it in 2007 based on the overarching theme of social work running throughout her patronages. The Mary Foundation website states that the Mary Foundation was founded on the premise that “social isolation in particular often proves to be one of the key causes behind the problems. Inspiration has also been sourced from like-minded foundations around the world.”
The Mary Foundation’s mission statement is: “To improve the lives of children, adults and families who – as a result of their environment, heredity, illness or other circumstances – find themselves socially isolated or excluded from society. The foundation aims to fulfil its objective by creating opportunities for these individuals and giving them a sense of affiliation and of belonging to a community. Furthermore, the foundation undertakes to encourage tolerance and understanding of diversity and to create hope.”
To fulfil these aims, the Mary Foundation focuses on three key areas: bullying and well-being, domestic violence, and loneliness.
Key projects of the Mary Foundation include Free of Bullying, which is used in 40% of nurseries, 60% of preschools, and 45% of primary schools/after school clubs in the country. The Mary Foundation has also distributed more than 28,000 backpacks to children arriving at women’s shelters with their mothers; and has helped women receive financial and social advice with the Advice for Life project, a legacy project of the Mary Foundation that is now separately operational.
Other projects supported by the Mary Foundation include Antibulli Swimming, which works to prevent bullying in children’s swimming; LæseLeg, which strengthens children’s language and self-confidence by involving them in reading activities; Me & We, which teaches children how to be part of a community; Together Without Violence, which works to detect violence among pregnant women and couples and gives them the tools to leave that life behind; School Strength, which works with schools to prevent bullying and promote well-being; and Antibulli Football, which aims to prevent bullying in children’s football.
To date, the capital stock in the Mary Foundation is around 220 million kroner but is left untouched. The total annual return is used to support projects within the Mary Foundation’s purview.
Agenda for the 4th Working Week (7 February 2022 – 10 February 2022) of the 7th Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly
Monday, 7 February
1. Bill on Amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act and Other Acts (475 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Continuation of the second reading Report by Õnne Pillak, member of the Social Affairs Committee
2. Interpellation concerning Estonia’s efforts to support Ukraine and to enhance the presence of the allied forces in the Baltics (No. 100), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas, Anti Poolamets, Siim Pohlak, Kert Kingo, Kalle Grünthal, Rene Kokk, Ruuben Kaalep, Uno Kaskpeit, Martin Helme, Riho Breivel, Helle-Moonika Helme, Henn Põlluaas, Jaak Valge, Alar Laneman, Merry Aart, Mart Helme and Paul Puustusmaa on 13 December 2021 Reply by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister
3. Interpellation concerning military support to Ukraine (No. 105), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas, Jaak Valge, Merry Aart, Henn Põlluaas, Rene Kokk, Uno Kaskpeit, Siim Pohlak, Alar Laneman, Kalle Grünthal, Urmas Reitelmann, Ruuben Kaalep, Helle-Moonika Helme, Riho Breivel, Mart Helme and Peeter Ernits on 10 January 2022 Reply by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister
4. Interpellation concerning the definitive failure of the mission in Mali (No. 107), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Uno Kaskpeit, Rene Kokk, Helle-Moonika Helme, Riho Breivel, Ruuben Kaalep, Anti Poolamets, Peeter Ernits, Paul Puustusmaa, Jaak Valge, Kalle Grünthal, Leo Kunnas, Urmas Reitelmann, Mart Helme, Henn Põlluaas, Alar Laneman and Siim Pohlak on 12 January 2022 Reply by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister
5. Interpellation concerning the preparedness to manage the further spread of COVID-19 infection (No. 96), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Juske, Eduard Odinets, Ivari Padar, Helmen Kütt and Riina Sikkut on 7 December 2021 Reply by Tanel Kiik, Minister of Health and Labour
Tuesday, 8 February
1. Bill on Amendments to the National Defence Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (417 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Second reading Report by Leo Kunnas, Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee
Wednesday, 9 February
1. Bill on Amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act and Other Acts (475 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Third reading
2. Overview of 2022 of the strategic developments in the area by Minister of Education and Research Report by Liina Kersna, Minister of Education and Research
3. Bill on Amendments to the Media Services Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (327 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Second reading Report by Jaak Valge, Deputy Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee
4. Bill on Amendments to the Equal Treatment Act and the Churches and Congregations Act (519 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Signe Riisalo, Minister of Social Protection Report by Oudekki Loone, member of the Constitutional Committee
5. Bill on Amendments to the Police and Border Guard Service Act and Other Acts (harmonisation of special services) (508 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Kristian Jaani, Minister of the Interior Report by Heljo Pikhof, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee
6. Bill on Amendments to the Act on the Accession to the Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Austria on the Stepping Up of Cross-border Cooperation, particularly in Combating Terrorism, Cross-border Crime and Illegal Migration (509 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Kristian Jaani, Minister of the Interior Report by Urve Tiidus, member of the Legal Affairs Committee
7. Bill on Amendments to the Feed Act (499 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Urmas Kruuse, Minister of Rural Affairs Report by Merry Aart, Deputy Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee
8. Bill on Amendments to the Taxation Act (providing data on construction works) (506 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Minister of Finance Report by Aivar Kokk, Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee
Thursday, 10 February
1. Deliberation of the matter of significant national importance “Implementation of the Estonian Civil Society Development Concept”, initiated by the Constitutional Committee Report by Kristian Jaani, Minister of the Interior Report by Kai Klandorf, Executive Director, Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations Report by Martin Villig, entrepreneur, co-founder of technology company Bolt Report by Toomas Kivimägi, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
On Monday, 7 February, after all items on the agenda have been discussed, the time for unscheduled statements begins, to continue until no further requests for the floor are made, but no longer than until 12 midnight.
On Wednesday, 9 February, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Question Time takes place.
NordenBladet — A new working group of State Secretaries has been set up to drive the achievement of Finland’s goal to significantly increase the immigration of skilled labour. The group will oversee the implementation of the extensive action plan presented in the roadmap for education-based and work-based immigration, and support related cross-administrative cooperation. The Government aims to at least double work-based immigration by 2030, thereby helping to achieve the objective set out in the sustainability roadmap, which is to increase work-based immigration by 50,000 persons. Another objective is that after 2030, there will be an annual increase of at least 10,000 in work-based immigration. The aim is to triple the number of new foreign degree students to 15,000 by 2030, and to retain and employ 75 per cent of them in Finland after graduation. Roadmap implementation requires extensive cooperationTo achieve these objectives, the Government has drawn up a roadmap for education-based and work-based immigration. It contains measures designed to make Finland more attractive to international talent and their family members. The implementation of the roadmap will also strengthen general government finances in accordance with the sustainability roadmap.The implementation of the roadmap will require determined work and extensive cross-administrative cooperation, which is why a working group of State Secretaries on education-based and work-based immigration was established to support these efforts. “For Finland to succeed in the fierce global competition for skilled labour, it is essential to have seamless cooperation between the various actors involved in the process. The working group of State Secretaries will promote the implementation of the roadmap and make sure that everyone is on the same page,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen. Several ministries represented in the working groupThe working group is chaired by State Secretary Ville Kopra from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Other members include State Secretaries and Special Advisers from various ministries, and public officials. The term of the working group runs from 4 February 2022 to 31 March 2023. In addition to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the group includes representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.The group’s work is supported by experts from Business Finland, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency, the Development and Administration Centre (KEHA) for Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment; the Finnish Immigration Service, and Employment and Economic Development Offices.
