Hussar and the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania considered it important to find specific areas of cooperation for the near future in priority foreign policy issues for Estonia and Lithuania.
“Baltic-Nordic cooperation provides an opportunity to resolve and prevent emerging security challenges more effectively,” Hussar said.
“Security challenges are important. It is essential to do more together,” Budrys emphasised.
“Continued support to Ukraine in all areas is necessary to help Ukraine to a position of strength this year,” Hussar underlined.
Hussar and Budrys highlighted the need to strive for maximum transatlantic unity, particularly on the issues concerning NATO, Russian aggression, relations with China, and trade.
It was pointed out at the meeting that it was important to individually and collectively enhance the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, and to continue efforts towards more effective deterrence of Russian hybrid activities.
Hussar and Budrys also underlined the importance of the construction of Rail Baltic to provide better connection with Europe for the Baltic States and, among other things, to ensure military mobility for security purposes.
Chairman of the Estonia-Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Group Enn Eesmaa also participated in the meeting.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania will also meet with President Alar Karis and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
NordenBladet —This week, the Estonian Defense Forces hosted an international sports camp in Kääriku Sports Center aimed at preparing wounded veterans for the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver. This was the first time in the history of the Invictus Games that an international pre-event training camp was organized. “These are the …
According to initial official reports, at least 126 people were killed, nearly 200 were injured and thousands lost their homes, but given the strength of the earthquake (magnitude 7.1) and the peculiarities of the region, the number of victims could rise.
Shigatse is one of the most important centres for Tibet, where many buildings are constructed from materials that cannot withstand strong seismic tremors. Night-time temperatures in the region can drop below -10°C at this time of year, posing an additional threat to human health and life and making both rescue operations and organising temporary accommodation difficult.
The Tibet Support Group of the Riigikogu calls on
the Chinese authorities to ensure as transparent as possible information sharing and smooth cooperation with international humanitarian aid organisations and independent journalists. Obstruction of information and access could significantly slow down the rescue efforts and put the victims at further risk.
the Government of Estonia and the European Union to monitor the situation closely and be ready to provide diplomatic and humanitarian support. It is also important that a clear overview of the scope of the disaster is requested at international level to coordinate the giving of international assistance where necessary.
the international community to stay ready to respond, as an earthquake can be followed by aftershocks, and every hour counts to rescue the persons trapped in the rubble and provide support to the victims.
The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has also expressed his profound sadness over this tragic natural disaster and offered his condolences and prayers to the Tibetan people. The Tibetan government-in-exile residing in the hill town of Dharamsala in India has done the same.
The Tibet Support Group of the Riigikogu acknowledges the rescue workers operating in the harsh mountainous conditions and expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims. The Support Group will continue to follow the situation and do its utmost to draw attention to the events in Tibet and the need for international cooperation to help the victims.
The Chair of the Tibet Support Group is Juku-Kalle Raid and the Deputy Chair is Karmen Joller; members of the group are Annely Akkermann, Anti Allas, Ester Karuse, Ando Kiviberg, Eerik-Niiles Kross, Leo Kunnas, Tõnis Lukas, Henn Põlluaas, Marek Reinaas, Urmas Reinsalu, Kalev Stoicescu, Tarmo Tamm, Toomas Uibo, Kristo Enn Vaga and Jaak Valge.
Hussar said in his New Year Address, which was broadcast on the ETV, ETV2 and ETV+ channels, that the height of the Tall Hermann Tower or the girth of the Fat Margret Tower were not the indicators that give us peace of mind and security. “More important is our inner confidence, the conviction that our home, our culture and our way of life need protecting. Because we are on the right path,” he added.
Hussar underlined that confidence could be built on several components, and the key component was a secure development environment taking into account the needs of all of us. Political and economic stability, numerous friendship and allied relations, energy independence and effective educational life are the cornerstones for Estonia’s growth and prosperity.
“Last year we made the final transition to the Estonian-language education and eliminated the last big relict of the Soviet occupation in our society. This is how today we can build a united Estonian school where no one is left behind, where the talented are helped towards even greater heights, and where the average are given knowledge that ranks far above the global average,” Hussar said, and pointed out that this was the kind of system that could be at the heart of our self-confidence and inner peace.
According to Hussar, we still have the final step to take in achieving energy independence: we have to desynchronise ourselves from Russia’s power grids. “We are going to take this is a step in February to celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. Without any hesitation! And in spite of the fact that the vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet are once again trying to provoke us into submissiveness by dragging their anchors to cut the cables connecting us with our allies. This action will also be stopped this year by a resolute response,” Hussar said, and underlined that Finland was a good example and partner for us here.
The President of the Riigikogu expressed regret that the last year, too, our greatest hope had not been fulfilled, and Ukraine had not achieved victory against Russia, which was waging a war of aggression. “Therefore, it will also be our duty this year to stand beside Ukraine who is waging a war of liberation. To support them in every way we can, to persuade our partners to do the same, and to do all this until the victorious end of the war and the coming of peace. A peace that will be concluded on the terms formulated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Hussar said. “Only such a solution will give us the confidence that Russia’s imperialist desire to dominate over other countries and peoples will come to a permanent end. Until this has happened, the shadow of war will be walking beside us.“
Hussar stated that Estonia was strong and confident today. “We know how to manage difficult situations, and we know how to make bold and forward-looking decisions. May our will, wisdom, wit and tactfulness be the keywords for us to follow as we are building our home this year, in 2025,” he said in the New Year Address.
“The members of the Estonian-Azerbaijani Parliamentary Group extend their deepest condolences to the people of Azerbaijan in their grief following the tragic air crash on 25 December. We stand in solidarity with the people of Azerbaijan and express our condolences to the families of the victims. We support an immediate investigation to establish the circumstances of the air crash,” members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group say in their message of condolence.
The Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group is chaired by Riina Solman. The Deputy Chair is Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, and members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group are Jaak Aab, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Züleyxa Izmailova, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Ester Karuse, Toomas Kivimägi, Aivar Kokk, Anastassia Kovalnko-Kõlvart, Lauri Laats, Andres Metsoja, Eduard Odinets, Heljo Pikhof, Juku-Kalle Raid, Urmas Reinsalu, Aivar Sõerd and Hendrik Johannes Terras.
Parliamentary friendship groups help the Members of the Riigikogu communicate with other national parliaments, carry out Estonia’s foreign policy, and promote our country around the world.
According to the Statement of the National Defence Committee, a pattern of physical hybrid attacks against the Baltic Sea underwater infrastructure has emerged, which poses a threat to NATO and the European Union. The Committee pointed out that this was a deliberate, repeated and intentional act. “We must immediately take forceful measures together with the Allies, to whom we will propose to place the Baltic Sea under 24-hour surveillance, in particular in those areas where critical underwater infrastructure is located. We will not tolerate any damaging of underwater infrastructure with impunity,” the National Defence Committee said in its Statement today.
The Committee believes that, similarly to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, a permanent naval force in the Baltic Sea, one of the key tasks of which is the protection of underwater infrastructure, must be more effectively enforced. “Estonia’s decision to deploy a naval patrol vessel to protect the operational power link Estlink 1, to complement Finland’s commendably swift and effective response, is a step in the right direction, but allied efforts need to be on a much larger scale,” said the National Defence Committee, according to whom this would ensure both an increase in deterrence and a rapid response capability. “No marine vessel suspected of terrorism against infrastructure should be allowed to leave before post-crime procedures have been completed.”
The Commission added that the Baltic Sea is first and foremost the home territory of NATO and the Member States of the European Union. “International law is on our side and we have sufficient capabilities for protecting ourselves,” the National Defence Committee said in the Statement.
At the extraordinary sitting of the National Defence Committee today, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk and National Security and Defence Coordination Director of the Government Office Erkki Tori gave the members of the Committee an overview of Russia’s hybrid attacks.
NordenBladet – Oh, I have sooo much to catch up on with you… but since I have to start somewhere, I’ll begin with Christmas. The last time I wrote about Christmas was in my 2022 blog post HERE. So this time, you’re getting a two-year update all at once! 😛 Hahaa.
In December 2023, our whole family was in Spain, which got me thinking that we should spend more winters there. But why Spain? Why not the south of France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, or even somewhere farther away like the U.S. or Thailand? Honestly, I don’t think I can give a very rational or well-argued answer. The main advantages are that Spain is relatively affordable, quite close, and by now, I’ve been learning Spanish for almost a year.
Check this out, how cool is that? 🤭😜😎:
Many of my friends think that the southern coast of Spain is still too cold in winter. For me, as long as I don’t have to shovel snow, defrost my car, and can get by with just a sweater or hoodie, I’m happy. I don’t necessarily need T-shirt and sundress weather. What I appreciate most is the light and the fact that I can go for a walk every day. Of course, I could do that in Estonia too, but trudging through cold and snow isn’t really my thing.
In Spain, we rented a car from OK Mobility at the airport for 14 days so we could explore the area. Over Christmas, we spent seven nights in Málaga and booked a three-bedroom apartment through Booking.com.
The streets in Málaga and the surrounding towns were beautifully decorated, but despite that, you just don’t get that traditional “Christmas feeling” among the palm trees. Honestly, I didn’t really miss it either. We ate out a lot, but since we rented apartments, I also cooked at home. The Christmas dinner in Spain in 2023 couldn’t really compare to the one in 2022 or to the feast we had at Allan’s mom’s house this year… hahaa.
At home in Estonia, we have handmade dinnerware for each season—our December set features teddy bears, Christmas trees, and rocking horses. I’ve been attending a pottery class with my younger daughter, Ivanka Shoshana, for years, and as a result, we get to enjoy beautiful and unique handmade ceramics at home. I’ve said this a million times, but food really does taste better when served on your own handmade dishes! Do you also feel that objects have a soul and aura? I feel it very strongly.
In December, I also love looking at store decorations—they are always so beautiful and magical. And of course, gingerbread cookies—OMG, I LOVE gingerbread! Every December, I make sure to stock up so I can enjoy them until at least March. Yummmm.
Now, here are some pictures from this year’s Christmas at Allan’s mom Sirli’s place in Kadriorg. Whether it’s Christmas or any other gathering where Allan’s brother Ardo and his wife Tiina are present, you can be sure the food will be EXCEPTIONAL! A top chef and a former top chef… what more could you ask for, right?! We divided up the tasks—Allan’s mom took care of the potatoes and sauerkraut, Ardo made an incredibly delicious and beautifully plated meat dish with vegetables, I prepared the cold appetizers (falafel, eggs, onions, caviar, mozzarella snacks, hummus, etc.), and Tiina made dessert (two types of Crème brûlée—one classic and one with cloudberries).
“Thirty-four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we take pride in the historic levels of freedom across the continent and remain committed to a Europe that is whole, free, democratic, sovereign, and at peace. Yet, that vision faces grave threats as a coalition of forces opposed to Euro-Atlantic democracy – led by Vladimir Putin and supported by dictatorships in Iran and North Korea, along with the People’s Republic of China – continues its brutal assault on Ukraine. Innocent civilians endure bombs and bloodshed, while the stability of Europe hangs in the balance,” the Chairs of committees say in the Statement.
The lawmakers underline that while all wars end around a negotiating table, peace cannot come at the expense of Ukraine’s sovereignty. “Our governments must ensure Ukraine leads decisions about its own future. This requires urgent security assistance, a clear path towards NATO membership, and meaningful security guarantees, including plans for an international peacekeeping mission should a ceasefire be agreed to,” they state.
According to the leaders of committees, Ukraine’s fight is also the fight of Belarus’ democratic forces and the people of Georgia, and they have made their desire for democracy and respect for human rights crystal clear. “We must reject Aleksandr Lukashenka’s sham elections and deny him the legitimacy he seeks. We must stand with Georgians defending their constitutionally enshrined Euro-Atlantic aspirations against the Georgian Dream’s violent crackdowns. And we must push back against those directing flagrant assaults on peaceful protesters using tools we know will deal a crippling blow, such as financial sanctions,” the parliamentarians emphasise.
“In our shared spirit of democracy and respect for human rights, we proudly declare: Glory to Ukraine. Long Live Belarus. Georgia belongs in Europe.”
The Statement was signed by Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin, Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee Lia Quartapelle, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece, Deputy Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Parliament of Lithuania Ruslanas Baranovas, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Lithuania Žygimantas Pavilionis, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of Poland Radosław Fogiel, Vice President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee Carlos Rojas García, and Chair of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada’s Foreign Affairs Committee Oleksandr Merezhko.
Tali joined the Statement when he was on a visit to Washington, USA, with the interparliamentary network United for Ukraine (U4U).
The Act on Amendments to the Accounting Act and Amendments to Other Acts arising therefrom (516 SE), initiated by the Government, was passed. It transposes the European Union sustainability reporting directive. It also transposes a directive changing the size criteria for companies.
The Act amends national requirements in the preparation and auditing of annual reports of undertakings. As the emergence and scope of the sustainability reporting obligation depends on the size category of the company, the new thresholds for size categories are set at the highest level allowed under the Directive. The purpose of the Act is to keep the increase in the reporting burden due to the new requirements to a minimum in Estonia.
The updated requirements set an obligation for all large undertakings and listed undertakings to publish a sustainability report as part of their management report for the financial year and to prepare it in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standard. In Estonia, the sustainability reporting obligation covers an estimated 300 companies and groups i.e. approximately 1.4 percent of the private limited liability companies and public limited liability companies operating in Estonia. An estimated third of them will be able to use the consolidation exception under which no sustainability report will need to be prepared if the same information has already been published in the parent company’s report.
Evelin Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.
On the final vote, 59 members of the Riigikogu supported the Act and 17 were against.
Presentation by Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi presented the survey of the Government on the stability support granted by the European Stability Mechanism, and the participation of the Republic of Estonia in the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The Minister recalled that the ESM had been born as a result of the global financial crisis and, as the Minister explained, there had been several crises in the 12 years of the ESM’s operation but currently the ESM does not have any active assistance programmes.
“The bailout loans granted from the ESM, and the EFSF, the predecessor of the ESM, during the financial crisis are in the post-programme monitoring phase. No risks have been identified that could jeopardise the ability of the beneficiary countries to repay the loans to the ESM,” said Ligi and specified that Spain had started loan repayments in 2022, and Greece had started to do the same in 2023. “I can confirm that last week the Greek Finance Minister endorsed the policy changes that Greece accepted as a condition of bailout loans. And now Greece’s current budget is in better shape than Estonia’s,” he said.
The minister also highlighted that the ESM had maintained its high credit ratings over its 12 years of operation, which was important when borrowing from the markets. The ESM can disburse loans to a maximum extent of 500 billion. Of this volume, EUR 417.5 billion, or the lion’s share, is currently available. However, the ESM invests the free funds on the basis of a conservative investment policy and has accumulated EUR 3.3 billion in reserves. “The ESM has fulfilled its role well in stabilising the euro area in the crises so far. Just knowing that the ESM exists has helped ensure stability in the markets. However, times are difficult, and we cannot rule out that some euro area countries will need ESM help in the future,” the Minister of Finance explained.
A Bill passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act and the Feed Act (546 SE), initiated by the Government, will bring the Act into conformity with the EU legislation and solve problems that have arisen in practice. A social conditionality system will be established for farms and farmers which will link area- and animal-based payments to the compliance with the working and employment conditions and employer obligations. Amendments will also be made in the measures for the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products as concerns school schemes, quality and composition requirements, and the implementation of marketing standards. In the case of school schemes, the Minister will be given the power to decide, at the level of regulation, on the more specific conditions for granting school scheme aid. The Bill also provides for measures to strengthen the protection of geographical indications.
Arvo Aller (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Urmas Kruuse (Reform Party) took the floor during the debate.
The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill. 14 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 51 were against and thus the Bill passed the first reading.
A Bill was dropped from the proceedings
The Bill to Bring the State Budget Act into conformity with the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, (525 SE), initiated by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, was dropped from the proceedings. Its purpose was to increase the transparency and understandability of the state budget and to give parliament a greater role in the legislative proceedings on the state budget.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party), Maris Lauri (Reform Party) and Aivar Kokk (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.
46 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 20 were against.
The agenda today, the last regular sitting of the autumn session, did not include any draft legal acts for legislative proceeding; instead, the Riigikogu received a visit from Santa Claus who commented on the activities of the MPs and handed out humorous presents.
Santa Claus first gave the plenary chamber a once-over. “You all look so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, at least all of you who have taken the trouble to be here.” He complimented the MPs for taking the step of reducing their expense allowance by one quarter.
The first ones called to the rostrum for their present was the Board of the Riigikogu, who gave a presentation of the comments of Santa Claus during previous visits as well as his observations on the ending year. Santa Claus gave the Board an assorted gift bag to be shared among themselves. The President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar thanked Santa Claus for his care and words of wisdom, which he has bestowed on the MPs over the years.
Every parliamentary group received a present that came with an explanation by Santa Claus. MPs recited poems and sang funny songs to receive their presents. Non-attached MPs also received the gift of window sealing tape because they sit by the windows.
After leaving Toompea, Santa Claus planned to visit children.
Under the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, the next regular sitting of the Riigikogu will take place on 13 January next year.
