Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
4515 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

Prime Minister presented a report on the implementation of development strategy to the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Prime Minister began his report by acknowledging that, in today’s world where political currents are unpredictable and turbulent, a clear goal is more important than ever before. “Our goal is a high value-added economy, a protected and secure Estonia, and efficient governance,” he said.

Michal pointed out that Estonia’s economic recession had ended in the fourth quarter of last year and the economy was growing again, and Estonia’s exports of goods and services had also increased. According to the Prime Minister, people’s well-being has also increased. The average gross pension increased by 11 percent, bringing the ratio of the average old-age pension to the average wage to an all-time high of 49 percent. The average gross monthly salary increased by eight percent. After-tax wage income grew by 4.2 percent over the year – outpacing price increases, which were 3.5 percent. “And this is a good achievement, given the current economic climate,” the Prime Minister said.

Speaking about energy, Michal highlighted the successful merger with the Western European frequency area and confirmed that the energy mix must include renewable electricity, nuclear energy, new controllable capacities, and storage technology. “In addition, modernized electricity and gas networks that ensure energy security and availability in any situation, be it a storm, heavy snow, damaged lines, or cyber-attacks. Without clean, available, and affordable energy, it will be very difficult for companies to find new markets.”

“According to the latest survey, 88 percent of Estonian residents feel safe in their home country. And that is the way it should stay. We work every day to ensure that confidence is sustained and boosted,” Michal said. He explained that the primary task of the Estonian government was to ensure that military capabilities commensurate with NATO’s defence plans were developed as a matter of urgency. “This means that Estonia’s defence spending will rise to five percent of GDP very quickly, either next year or the year after, depending on how quickly it will be possible to procure equipment and ammunition and to deliver it to Estonia,” Michal said. He added that our allies must also contribute much more to their security and collective defence.

According to the Prime Minister, it is also necessary to strengthen the defence industry in both Europe and Estonia. He pointed out that Estonia has a technology sector with a strong community – the large and successful IT companies that are currently contributing to economic growth were once small start-ups. “A similar development is possible in the defence industry: to first be a new and small flagship of Estonian start-up sector, which will grow into a successful global company,” Michal drew a parallel. He added that products from defence industry companies were needed both in the defence sector and in everyday life, for example in agriculture, transportation, education, and medicine.

Michal also highlighted the need to support local language and artificial intelligence technologies, excessive bureaucracy, Estonia’s high ranking of 11th in the European Innovation Scoreboard, the transition to Estonian-language education, the extension of the obligation to study, the reform of vocational education and the country’s record spending on research and development.

Tanel Kiik (Social Democratic Party), Anti Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa), Margit Sutrop (Reform Party), Igor Taro (Estonia 200) and Lauri Laats (Centre Party) took the floor during the debate.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Prime Minister presented a report on the implementation of development strategy to the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The draft Resolution to form a committee to investigate the activities of Nordica passed the first reading in the Riigikogu.

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of a draft Resolution

The explanatory memorandum to the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Riigikogu committee of investigation to investigate the facts relating to  the termination of the activities of Nordica” (543 OE), submitted by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group, notes that, due to the seriousness of the management errors and the significant investments made in Nordica in previous periods, it is necessary to immediately form a committee of investigation of the Riigikogu. . In order to ensure the credibility and broad-based nature of the committee of investigation, it should include at least one representative from each parliamentary group of the Riigikogu.

Mart Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Mart Võrklaev from the Reform Party Group, Mart Maastik from Isamaa Parliamentary Group and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart from the Centre Party Group took the floor during the debate.

The motion made by the Constitutional Committee to reject the draft Resolution at the first reading was not supported. 35 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of the motion and 38 were against. Thus, the first reading of the draft Resolution was concluded.

The Riigikogu heard replies to two interpellations

Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur replied to the interpellations concerning the impacts the rise in VAT will have on the budget of the Ministry of Defence  (No. 709) and concerning the acquisition of ammunition (No. 714), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

On the motion of the Constitutional Committee, the first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Identity Documents Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (572 SE), initiated by the Government, was excluded from the agenda for today.

Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Riina Solman, Vladimir Arhipov and Mart Helme took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 5.25 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: The draft Resolution to form a committee to investigate the activities of Nordica passed the first reading in the Riigikogu.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Speakers of the Parliaments of seven countries call on holding Russia accountable for war crimes

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Speakers noted that Russia, emboldened by impunity, continued to blatantly violate principles of the UN Charter and mock fundamental human rights. “Russia, aided by its accomplices, continues its genocidal warfare against Ukraine and its people, threatening the continent and the world,” they say in the Joint Statement made in Vilnius.

According to the Speakers, the effectiveness of international guarantees for thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) at the mercy of Russian captors is seriously undermined, as Russia does not give sufficient access to the prisoners of war and hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), other international and humanitarian organizations operating in the temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation territories of Ukraine and in Russia. “The denial of access to internment facilities for independent monitors, combined with the adoption of broad amnesty laws for Russian servicepersons, contributes to impunity for systematic torture and ill-treatment of POWs,” they pointed out.

In the opinion of the Speakers, these war crimes reflect Russia’s state policy of terror and disregard for international law. “This is not the work of rogue soldiers – it is a deliberate state policy aimed at breaking Ukraine’s resistance through terror. The Kremlin not only allows these crimes but actively encourages them. Public figures in Russia have explicitly called for inhumane treatment, and even execution of Ukrainian PoWs, often using dehumanizing terms in public discourse and through State-owned media,” they wrote in the Joint Statement.

The Speakers of the Parliaments of seven countries underlined that the only way to stop these atrocities was by holding Russia accountable and ensuring Ukraine had the means to defend itself. “The international community must support Ukraine until its victory over the aggressor state and ensure accountability of perpetrators and masterminds for violations of international law. Only this way will lay the path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe,” they said.

In the Statement, the Speakers urge Russia to implement its international commitments with respect to international humanitarian law, and adhere to the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. They also urge Russia to grant immediate and unhindered access for the ICRC and other relevant international organizations and mandate holders to the PoWs in order to fulfil their mandates in the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russian Federation.

The Joint Statement was signed by President of the Riigikogu of Estonia Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Eduskunta of Finland Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis, Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Szymon Hołownia, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Vice President of the Althing of Iceland Bryndís Haraldsdóttir. Tomorrow, the Speakers will attend the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of restoration of independence of Lithuania and deliver speeches at a festive sitting of the Seimas of Lithuania.

Text of the Joint Statement in Estonian and in English

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

Link uudisele: Speakers of the Parliaments of seven countries call on holding Russia accountable for war crimes

Source: Parliament of Estonia

President of the Riigikogu is visiting Vilnius on the Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Speakers of Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine convene in Vilnius to discuss further support to Ukraine and European security. “Our task is to present a united front and do everything in our power to increase military support to Ukraine, strengthen sanctions and put Russia’s frozen assets to good use, as well as invest significantly more into our own security and defence to deter the aggressor,” Hussar said.

In addition to the President of the Riigikogu, Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Saulius Skvernelis, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa, Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Szymon Hołownia, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Eduskunta of Finland Jussi Halla-aho, and Vice President of Althing of Iceland Bryndís Haraldsdóttir are taking part in the events. The Speakers will also adopt a joint statement in support of Ukraine and then give a press conference together.

Tomorrow, the parliamentary leaders will take part in celebrating the 35th anniversary of restoring Lithuania’s independence and give a speech at a festive sitting in the Lithuanian Seimas.

The programme also includes a visit to Lukiškės Prison, which has been given a make-over as a cultural space, and the Vilnius TV Tower.

Photos (will be added in accordance with the programme; author: Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu is visiting Vilnius on the Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Exercise Was Held in Estonian Airspace

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Riigikogu: The European Union must increase its defence capability faster and invest more in supporting Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“The Council will discuss European defence, in particular the defence initiative of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, which would mean contributing EUR 800 billion to defence. The Council will also discuss the channelling of a EUR 150 billion loan to the growth of the defence industry,” Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali said.

“We no longer have the time to sit back and wait for the implementation of the next long-term budget of the EU in 2028, we need to act now, quickly and decisively. For Estonia, military defence is crucial, as well as the development and security of critical infrastructure,” he underlined, adding that the biggest war since the Second World War was going on in Europe and we must do more to support Ukraine who was fighting the aggressor.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, who participated in the sitting, expressed concern that mobilising such a large amount of money would take a long time, and suggested that there were platforms through which investments in the defence industry could be made immediately if there was a political will for that. “The possibility of channelling European assistance funds to Ukraine to fill the gap left by the Americans should be considered. In addition to supporting Ukraine, we also need to think about how to support Moldova and Georgia so that this region would not become Russia’s zone of influence,” Mihkelson pointed out.

It was noted at the sitting that it was important to put pressure on Russia, including through the use of frozen assets, to increase military assistance to Ukraine and to maintain relations with the United States. It is expected that the Council will decide that in order to cover the gap left by the United States, the European Union has to assume a more ambitious role in assisting Ukraine. Estonia expects the EU to send a message of support for the efforts Ukraine, who is waging a war, has made in moving forward with the EU accession process. The willingness of large member states to raise defence spending was also discussed.

The positions of the Government for today’s special European Council meeting in Brussels were presented by Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The positions of the Government were approved by consensus.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Riigikogu: The European Union must increase its defence capability faster and invest more in supporting Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 Fighter Jets Practice Drone Defense on the Coast of Rutja

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Hussar in France: Europe needs to do more to support Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“Europe must do its utmost to fill the gap left by America in supporting Ukraine and strengthening its defence capability,” Hussar underlined. “Europe can do more and must do more. Europe needs to understand that it is not just a Single Market, it is and it must start to behave as a military force,” Hussar said at the meeting with President of the Senate of France Gérard Larcher.

“Our common aim is to provide Ukraine a position of strength for the negotiations that must guarantee a just and lasting peace for the Ukrainian people. In doing so, we need to exert maximum pressure on Russia, which means military assistance to Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and urgent actions to use Russia’s frozen assets,” Hussar said.

The discussions also focused on strengthening the defence capability of Europe. At the meeting with the representatives of the French Parliament, it was pointed out that Europe needed to invest significantly more into defence, and hope was expressed that important decisions would be made in this regard at the European Council on Thursday. “Estonia is doing its part – currently our defence spending is 3.4% of GDP, and we are heading towards 5%,” Hussar noted.

The President of the Riigikogu said that France was an important partner and ally for Estonia, and acknowledged the contribution of France to collective defence, especially their participation in NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Tapa, Estonia

Hussar met with President of the National Assembly of France Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the Senate of France Gérard Larcher and several members of the French Parliament, including members of the France-Estonia parliamentary friendship group. Yesterday, Hussar visited a sitting of the National Assembly, and today, a sitting of the Senate of France. Further support to Ukraine and the security of Europe were discussed at both sittings. He also visited MBDA, one of France’s largest defence industry companies, and participated in a discussion on the relations between the United States and France together with experts. At the Embassy of Estonia, Hussar had a meeting with Estonians living in France.

The President of the Riigikogu was accompanied on the visit by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonia-France Parliamentary Friendship Group Andres Sutt and member of the Estonia-France Parliamentary Friendship Group Tõnis Lukas.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar in France: Europe needs to do more to support Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

President of the Riigikogu starts two-day visit to France

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar underlined that France was a very important partner and ally for Estonia. “We highly appreciate France’s contribution to collective defence of the Baltic region. Close cooperation between the allies is more important now than ever before,” said Hussar, adding that Estonia wished to continue good cooperation with France also in the field of defence.

In Paris, Hussar will meet with President of the National Assembly of France Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the Senate of France Gérard Larcher and members of the French Parliament, including members of the France-Estonia parliamentary friendship group. The main topics of the meetings will be support for Ukraine, increasing defence readiness and strengthening security in Europe, as well as relations with the United States. On Tuesday, the President of the Riigikogu will also visit the sitting of the Senate where a declaration regarding Ukraine will be discussed.

Hussar will also visit MBDA, one of France’s largest defence industry companies, and participate in a discussion on the relations between the United States and France together with experts. At the end of the visit, he will meet with Estonians living in France at the Embassy of Estonia.

The President of the Riigikogu is accompanied on the visit by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonia-France Parliamentary Friendship Group Andres Sutt and member of the Estonia-France Parliamentary Friendship Group Tõnis Lukas.

Photos (will be added in accordance with the programme; (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu starts two-day visit to France

Source: Parliament of Estonia

European Union Affairs Committee supports more flexible state aid rules in aviation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Committee sees a need to review and modernise the current state aid guidelines for aviation because the sector has undergone significant changes since their adoption in 2014. The current guidelines are valid until 2027, and the purpose of the public consultation is to collect the opinions of stakeholders, Member States, airports, airlines, and organisations of the industry on the relevance and application of the current state aid guidelines.

The Chairman of the EUAC Peeter Tali stressed the importance of the smooth functioning of Estonia’s main airport in Tallinn, as well as our regional airports. “Living on the edge of Europe in the logistical sense gives us insight about how difficult it is to keep and introduce new flight connections from Tallinn. Therefore, there is all the more reason to give more state aid to regional airports in Pärnu, Tartu, Kärdla, Kuressaare, Kihnu, and Ruhnu,” the Chairman said in sympathy of the government’s position that the EU aviation state aid rules should be amended to allow countries to quickly intervene and support connections in the Member States on the outskirts of the EU if the market is unable to ensure their stability and quality. “We must be able to continue supporting regional airports after 2027 as well,” he insisted.

The current three-year support programme for successfully launching new routes is insufficient and the start-up aid could last for four years in the future to make sure the companies are interested in keeping up the flights. The Committee would like to see the state aid system for airports to become more flexible, to allow quick intervention in case of market failures or crises—such as the past Covid crisis. The state aid rules are so complicated that both businesses and the state find these difficult to follow; yet these should allow for a quick intervention without months of deliberation. The EUAC amended Estonia’s positions at the sitting, adding the proposal that the state aid rules should be indefinite in duration.

The Ministry of Climate Deputy Secretary General for Transport Sander Salmu and DG of the Aviation Department Taivo Linnamägi gave an overview of the positions of the government at the sitting. Member of the Economic Affairs Committee Tarmo Tamm expressed the position of his Committee.

In its further work, the European Commission will proceed from the responses received through public consultations and might introduce changes in the state aid guidelines. The state aid guidelines in aviation industry are in the exclusive competence of the European Commission, with Member States only playing a consulting role.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: European Union Affairs Committee supports more flexible state aid rules in aviation

Source: Parliament of Estonia

1234...452Page 3 of 452