The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson told the plenary assembly that one central principle of Estonia’s foreign policy—never again alone—was more pertinent today than at any point after our independence was restored in 1991. “In a turbulent world where force might trump justice, we can ensure our sovereignty and security by maintaining and enhancing our common allied space through active international communication. Determined, skilful, internally consistent, and democratic foreign policy is just as important for Estonia today as is directing more resources into building independent defence capabilities,” he emphasised.

As he sees it, the key issue in Estonia’s foreign policy is our contribution to restoring sustainable peace in Europe. “Ideally, this would mean Ukraine’s victory in the war against the invading aggressor and the expansion of the democratic security space in a way that would ensure not only the sovereignty of Ukraine but also Moldova, Georgia, and Belarus, and would lead to the fall of dictatorships. In other words, this would mean a conclusive end to empires in Europe. Reaching this goal would ensure Estonia’s security for at least the next generation, or maybe longer,” Mihkelson said. Yet he admitted that the international environment had only become more difficult over the last year, taking us even further from this aim.

Mihkelson said that Russia’s words and actions showed that their strategic goal was still the restoration of its empire and gaining the leading role in European security, and this was the goal it was moving towards despite heavy losses of human lives. “Ukraine is fighting and maintaining the front line not only against Russia but the whole authoritarian power of four. Intensified defence cooperation between Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China helps Moscow to hold on to the initiative and the material superiority in the war,” he said, adding that while the authoritarian forces were converging, the free world had just entered one of the most precarious periods of its history where the unity showed signs of crumbling and where the vitality of democratic institutions that ensure civil liberties was being sorely tested.

Mihkelson referred to moments in Estonian history where our fate as a nation had been decided without our own input; but hastened to add that times were different today and that we had our own place and our own voice on the international arena. “But this does not mean that challenges have disappeared. Rifts in the allied space and conflicts between great powers mean that we need to find the wisdom and determination to do our utmost to be represented and taken into account when Estonia’s sovereignty and security are at stake,” he admonished.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna said in his speech that the mood of the late 1930s can be felt around the world: the rules-based world order is under increasing pressure, autocracies are gathering strength and converging, and attempts are being made to drive wedges into democratic societies and between democracies, to amplify existing contradictions and to undermine values. He called on the democratic world to ask itself whether we would allow the threats to grow until it was too late, as was done then, or whether we would resolutely take a stand to defend our values.

“Not long ago, many European leaders admitted that they should have given more heed to the Baltic states when we warned them about the growing threat of aggression in the east. Today we tell them: listen to us now. Freedom of us all is at stake. Keeping it requires victory in Ukraine, containing the aggressive Russia for a long time, strengthening our alliances, and a more confident Europe,” he said.

Consistency will continue to be the trump card of our foreign policy. “Estonia has been right when warning about threats and calling for resolve. We have been united in making our case abroad, even when we have had heated arguments at home. If we—as a country and nation—want to emerge from these difficult times unscathed and stronger, then our unity and integrity have to be maintained,” the Minister said in his speech outlining the main directions and goals of Estonia’s foreign policy.

During the debate that followed the presentations and the questions, Kalev Stoicescu spoke for Estonia 200 Group, Eerik-Niiles Kross for the Reform Party Group, Raimond Kaljulaid for the Social Democratic Party Group, Lauri Laats and Vadim Belobrovtsev for the Centre Party Group, Urmas Reinsalu for Isamaa Group, and Anti Poolaments and Rain Epler for the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group.

The deliberation of the motion of no confidence was postponed

The President of the Riigikogu added a second item on the agenda of the sitting: a motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Kristen Michal, initiated by 29 Members of the Riigikogu. Its deliberation was deferred to the agenda for tomorrow’s sitting because there was no time to start the discussion before the sitting ended today at 2 p.m.

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act (537 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Raimond Kaljulaid and Tiit Maran, was also deferred due to the end of the working hours.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording of the debate will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

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

Link uudisele: Riigikogu discussed foreign policy as a matter of significant national importance

Source: Parliament of Estonia