“The changed geopolitical situation has created a situation where the parliaments of the NB8 countries need to communicate on more issues than they have done so far. It is important to promote cooperation in areas where the impact extends beyond national borders. The cooperation between the committees of the NB8 parliaments deserves a solid structure,” Hussar said, and added that the closer we were connected and the more we agreed on various issues, the stronger we would be.
According to the President of the Riigikogu, more cooperation is needed in the areas of economy, artificial intelligence, and energy. He noted that it would be better to tackle one topic at a time in order to address it more thoroughly and share experiences. His counterparts from other NB8 parliaments also highlighted issues like the school network, cross-border connectivity, and migration.
The meeting showed that the Speakers considered closer cooperation between parliamentary committees to be important and would continue consultations in their parliaments to identify areas where cooperation was most needed. It was noted that the committee systems were quite different and that some parliaments were undergoing changes in this regard, but this would not prevent cooperation or finding common issues. The Speakers will continue their discussion on this topic at the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments in Copenhagen in May.
The Foreign Affairs Committee, the National Defence Committee, and the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu already cooperate with committees of other parliaments in the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States, and the Finance Committees also exchange experiences and knowledge with each other.
In addition to Hussar, Søren Gade from the Parliament of Denmark, Jussi Halla-aho from the Parliament of Finland, Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir from the Parliament of Iceland, Juozas Olekas form the Parliament of Lithuania, Masud Gharahkhani from the Parliament of Norway, and Andreas Norlén from the Parliament of Sweden attended today’s video meeting of the Speakers.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
According to Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, the proposal was based on a request from the Prosecutor General which indicated that Grünthal may have committed a crime provided for in clause 3 of section 201 (2) of the Penal Code, i.e. embezzlement by an official. According to her, the embezzlement allegedly consisted in Grünthal having given his son the fuel company Alexela customer card entrusted to him by the Chancellery of the Riigikogu, so that his son could use the property entrusted to a member of the Riigikogu for the performance of duties related to the work of a member of the Riigikogu for his own personal purposes at his discretion.
“According to the suspicion, Mr. Grünthal’s son used the fuel company’s customer card himself to refuel his vehicle and gave the fuel company’s customer card to his former spouse for use. In addition, it appears from the suspicion that the refuelling of his car for personal purposes was also possible with a fuel company Olerex customer card which had been issued by the Chancellery of the Riigikogu,” Madise said. According to her it is apparent from the suspicion that Grünthal was aware that his son and son’s spouse purchased fuel which they did not use for activities related to his work of as a member of the Riigikogu.
Madise noted that, upon reviewing the materials of the criminal case, no circumstances had emerged that would have allowed for the request of the Prosecutor General not to be forwarded to the Riigikogu. “As explained earlier, the law prohibits the Chancellor of Justice from evaluating evidence and inquiring whether the acts were committed or how serious they were, or whether the person was guilty. It is clearly prohibited by law for the Chancellor of Justice to do this,” she said.
Madise underlined that only a court could administer justice and determine guilt. “Neither the submission of this application and proposal nor the potential removal of parliamentary immunity mean that Kalle Grünthal has committed a crime. Justice is administered by the court and if guilt is not proven the person is acquitted,” the Chancellor of Justice said.
Member of the Riigikogu Kalle Grünthal said before the Riigikogu that he was not afraid of legal proceedings but believed that, in the case under discussion, the Riigikogu should reject the proposal.
Martin Helme, Mart Helme and Rain Epler from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Madis Timpson from the Reform Party Group and Irja Lutsar from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.
58 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice and three were against it. Thus, the motion was supported.
The Riigikogu passed two Acts
The Riigikogu passed the Act on the Repeal of the Use of Privatisation Proceeds Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (693 SE), initiated by the Government. It repeals the Use of Privatisation Proceeds Act and liquidates the ownership reform reserve fund of the Government. The use of the proceeds from land privatization will be decided during the state budget procedure in the future.
The ownership reform reserve fund was established to cover the costs associated with reforms during the transition to a democratic state system after Estonia restored its independence. The proceeds from the privatisation of state land in the course of ownership reform are received into the reserve fund and they are used for covering the expenses related to the organisation of the return and privatisation of and compensation for assets and other expenses related to the land and ownership reform. Among other things, the maintenance and reconstruction of architectural monuments and expenses related to apartment ownership transferred to the state have been financed from the fund.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the activities for which the reserve fund was established are now coming to an end and the fund has mostly fulfilled its objectives.
58 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Act.
The Riigikogu also passed the Act on Amendments to the State Fees Act (735 SE), initiated by the Government. It raises the rates of the state fees for public procurement contestation notices to bring them into line with actual costs.
According to the explanatory memorandum, disputes arising from the organization of public procurement are resolved by the Public Procurement Review Committee as a mandatory out-of-court body whose workload has increased significantly due to the increase in the number of disputes. While it was originally planned that the costs of the committee’s activities would be covered by state fees for contested cases, they currently only cover half of the labour costs. The relevant state fee rates have been in force since 2007 when the committee was established.
The Act doubles the state fee rates for contesting public procurement: from EUR 640 to EUR 1,280 where the estimated value of a public procurement is below the international threshold, and from EUR 1,280 to EUR 2,560 where the estimated value is greater than or equal to the threshold. According to the explanatory memorandum, the amendments will affect all public procurement disputes, as the state fee must be paid at the same rate in the administrative court and circuit court of appeal when appealing against a decision of the Review Committee.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart from the Centre Party Group took the floor during the debate.
48 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act and 20 voted against.
A Bill passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code (consent-based approach to sexual violence) (727 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. The Bill marks a shift from the force and coercion-based approach to a consent-based approach in the case of sexual crimes, and sexual intercourse without consent will be considered to be rape.
Currently, rape is only considered to take place if violence is used against the victim or if the victim is in a helpless state, i.e. unable to resist or understand what is happening. According to the bill, however, non-consensual intercourse will be punishable as rape even if no violence is used against the victim. According to the Bill, it must be clear to both parties that their partner consents to sexual activity. Consent will not have to be verbal, but it will have to be clearly expressed and voluntary.
The bill will also bring the Estonian Penal Code into line with the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention according to which it should be punishable to have sexual intercourse with someone without their consent. An independent expert group assessing the implementation of the Istanbul Convention has also strongly recommended that Estonia make the relevant legislative amendment.
According to the Bill, the amendments are planned to enter into force on 1 July next year.
Signe Riisalo from the Reform Party Group, Riina Solman from Isamaa Parliamentary Group and Varro Vooglaid from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate. Andre Hanimägi made a speech on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group and Peeter Ernits took the of the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Parliamentary Group.
The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading, but the plenary did not support the motion. 13 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection but 47 were against.
The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (731 SE), initiated by the Environment Committee, is deferred to the agenda for tomorrow’s sitting due to the end of the working hours of Tuesday’s sitting.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
The Bill on Amendments to the Early Childhood Education Act (675 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group and Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Aab, Ester Karuse, Tanel Kiik, Andre Hanimägi and Züleyxa Izmailova, provided for ensuring a free nursery place for every child. The Bill was intended to eliminate the obligation for parents to pay nursery fees.
Lauri Laats from the Centre Party Group, Helle-Moonika Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Lauri Läänemets from the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 39 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 25 voted against. The Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
The Bill on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act (729 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group and Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Aab, Ester Karuse, Tanel Kiik, Andre Hanimägi and Züleyxa Izmailova, was intended to establish the principle that, if the interval between the birth of the child of an applicant for parental benefit and the birth of their previous child was less than three years, then, in addition to maintaining the amount of parental benefit, it would be adjusted in line with the change in the amount of the average wage for the second quarter of the year preceding the budget year, as published by Statistics Estonia. The parental benefit granted could not have been lower than the previous amount of parental benefit.
Vadim Belobrovtsev from the Centre Party Group, Martin Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Reili Rand from the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 34 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 24 voted against. The Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
Four interpellations were replied
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta replied to the interpellations concerning NGO Slava Ukraini (No. 850), concerning the delay in transposing the equality directives and the need for additional resources (No. 841), concerning discussions in the European Union on restrictions on young people’s use of social media (No. 847) and concerning transparency and prevention of abuses in consumer associations (No. 855), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
Helmen Kütt and Lauri Läänemets took the floor during the open microphone.
“Our Ukrainian colleagues expressed their position very clearly at our meeting: Ukraine acknowledges the efforts of the President of the United States Donald Trump to achieve lasting peace; however, Ukraine will never agree to yielding its territory or limiting the size of its armed forces or restricting its sovereignty,” said the Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Leo Kunnas.
Member of the National Defence Committee and Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said that to support Ukraine, we needed to unite forces with our allies in the European Union to direct Russia’s frozen assets into reconstructing Ukraine, establish an international tribunal for crimes of aggression, and cease doing business with Russia as soon as possible. “We must not underestimate the impact of Russia’s influencing activities and Russian money in capitals around the world. Trade with Russia will first corrupt our business sector, then our public sector, and eventually this corruption might also infect us, the politicians,” he warned.
The delegation of the Committee is meeting the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniyenko, the Chairman of the Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence Oleksandr Zavitnevych, and the Head of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Estonia Arsenii Pushkarenko. The delegation will also visit the Ukraine Ministry of Defence and the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, and meet with security analysts.
Kunnas and Tali are accompanied at the visit by members of the Committee Meelis Kiil and Priit Sibul.
“Kyrgyzstan is using a new voting system at the Sunday elections. They have also changed the districts, requirements for the candidates, and the procedure for campaign funding. Moreover, these are the first national elections in Kyrgyzstan to use new voting devices and allow voting outside the voting district of residence,” Raidma said.
He added that the observers would monitor that the new rules conform to the OSCE guidelines and that the elections were conducted with transparency and respect for public trust.
More than 80 members of national parliaments from 28 countries will observe the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. The OSCE PA is observing elections in the Kyrgyz Republic for the 12th time since 2000. On the election day, the observers will observe the elections in numerous districts to assess procedures, voting technology, and the election process.
Election observation missions have been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards. Observers also assess how earlier election-related recommendations have been implemented in the country.
The preliminary results and conclusions of the observation mission will be presented on Monday, 1 December.
For more information, please contact: Mati Raidma +372 507 4112
Hussar said at the meeting that in the current situation it was crucial to continue a strong support for Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia, and put Russia’s frozen assets to good use. He emphasised the importance of German leadership in supporting Ukraine and promoting European economy.
Hussar also acknowledged Germany’s contribution to enhancing the security of the Baltic region, including the air defence. Other topics of the meeting were bilateral relations, including the importance of developing economic relations, and issues of digitalisation.
Hussar also met the Chairman of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the Baltic States Bettina Hagedorn, and members of the Group, and had a meeting with the Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff.
The President of the Riigikogu was accompanied by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson and the member of the Estonia-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group Raimond Kaljulaid.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
The Speakers say that Russia’s war of aggression – and the peace that follows – will shape European security for generations and touch the existential interests of all Europeans. “Peace cannot be won by appeasing the aggressor; it requires firm pressure on Russia and steadfast support for Ukraine. If territories can be gained and borders changed by force, no one is secure,” they say in their joint statement today.
The Speakers warn that negotiations cannot start with Ukraine forced to accept Russian demands. “Europe will never recognise claims that extend Russia’s influence beyond its borders. Any agreement must focus on ending the war, securing Ukraine’s future, and providing credible security guarantees backed by real forces,” they say.
They emphasise that there must be no impunity for crimes committed, and deported Ukrainian children must be returned. “Russia cannot have a veto over Ukraine’s right to choose its path – be it the European Union or NATO,” the Speakers say in their statement.
The Baltic Speakers stress that any talks must begin with an immediate ceasefire. “Europe must stand united and resolute, ensuring that peace honours Ukraine’s courage and is rooted in justice, law, and long-term security,” concludes the statement.
Yesterday, the Chairmen of Foreign Affairs Committees of European countries also made a joint statement where they also declared that just and lasting peace cannot be achieved by yielding to the aggressor; instead, it must be grounded in international law and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty. The joint statement was initially signed by the Chairmen of Foreign Affairs Committees of 20 countries and the European Parliament, with another three country representatives joining later. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson signed it on behalf of Estonia.
Hussar said that Russia’s war of aggression and the peace that follows its conclusion would shape Europe’s security architecture for generations to come. “It is imperative for Europe, Ukraine, and the USA to cooperate for a just and lasting peace – for the kind of peace that is grounded in international law and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty,” he said in his speech at the Summit.
The history has shown that kowtowing to aggression does not pacify the storm but simply invites a new and even more violent one. “Europe will never accept any demands that extend Russia’s influence beyond the country’s borders. All negotiations must begin with an immediate ceasefire. Any agreement must focus on ending the war, securing Ukraine’s future, and giving reliable security guarantees,” Hussar said. He firmly believes that Ukraine must retain the right to choose its own path, be it towards the European Union or NATO.
The President of the Riigikogu also emphasised that crimes must never go unpunished and that the children deported from Ukraine must be brought back home. “The aggressor must pay. Russia’s frozen assets must become a real asset of Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. In the European Union alone, such assets exceed EUR 200 million. Let’s put these to good use,” he said.
Hussar stressed the need for Europe to stay united and determined. “If territories can be conquered and borders reshaped by force, no one is safe. To prevent a future like this, we need to continue and fortify our solid support for Ukraine and our pressure on Russia. And let me tell you frankly – Russia will never ever change,” said Hussar in his speech at the Summit.
In the framework of this, the fourth Summit, Hussar had separate meetings with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and the President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker.
The Summit, organised jointly by the Swedish and Ukrainian parliaments, highlights the need to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and discusses the impact of the aggression, as well as the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. The Summit will conclude with a Joint Declaration.
After the Summit, the President of the Riigikogu will leave on a visit to Germany, where he will meet with the President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner and the Chairman of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the Baltic States Bettina Hagedorn on Tuesday. Hussar will also have a meeting in the German Council on Foreign Relations.
The President of the Riigikogu will be accompanied in Berlin by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson and the member of the Estonia-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group Raimond Kaljulaid.
“Our goal has always been, and remains, a just and lasting peace that is grounded in international law and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty. Such a peace cannot be achieved by yielding to or rewarding the aggressor,” the Chairmen say in their Joint Statement.
They see an imperative need for sustained pressure on Russia and unwavering support for Ukraine for any solution to succeed. “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, and nothing about Europe without Europe. A just and lasting peace is impossible without these fundamentals. We call for urgent meetings of European leaders and the European Council to take a united, principled stand,” the statement urges.
The Chairmen see no possibility for genuine negotiations to begin if Ukraine is asked to pre-emptively accept Russian demands. “The era of empires is over, and Europe will never accept as legitimate any notion of Russian “security interests” that extend beyond its borders or presume the right to shape Europe’s security order. Any agreement must focus on ending the war, securing Ukraine’s future, and supporting its reconstruction,” they say.
They stress the need for Ukraine’s security guarantees to be real – based on legally binding commitments and reinforced by reassurance forces in Ukraine and the capabilities necessary to deter future aggression. “Ukraine must not be subjected to limits on its armed forces or constraints on its foreign or domestic policies while Russia faces none. At a minimum, Russia must withdraw its troops from occupied territories and engage with international bodies to ensure accountability for those responsible for atrocities,” they say.
The Chairmen emphasise that any negotiations must begin with an immediate ceasefire. “European security, Ukraine’s sovereignty – including its right to choose its own alliances – and justice for the crimes committed during this war are non-negotiable red lines,” they stress and add that Europe must stand united, principled, and unflinching. “Our values, our security, and the future of our continent depend on ensuring that any peace achieved is worthy of the sacrifices made and of Ukraine’s bravery and resilience – a peace rooted in justice, law, and lasting security.”
The Statement has been signed by Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees from the parliaments of Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and United Kingdom. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson signed it on behalf of Estonia.
The Summit is organised in cooperation of the parliaments of Sweden and Ukraine. It will be opened by the Speaker of the Riksdag of Sweden Andreas Norlén and the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver a video address. The Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will also speak at the start of the meeting.
The fourth Summit will highlight the need to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and will discuss the impact of the aggression, as well as the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants plan to adopt a Joint Declaration.
In the framework of the Summit, Hussar will have separate meetings with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and the President of the National Council of Switzerland Maja Riniker.
After the Summit, the President of the Riigikogu will leave on a visit to Germany, where he will meet with the President of the German Bundestag Julia Klöckner and the Chairman of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the Baltic States Bettina Hagedorn. Hussar will also have a meeting in the German Council on Foreign Relations.
The President of the Riigikogu will be accompanied in Berlin by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson and the member of the Estonia-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group Raimond Kaljulaid.
