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Denmark gives emphasis to human rights and trust between local communities and security forces in the West African Sahel region

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Together with EU, the Netherlands and Sweden, Denmark is co-hosting a high-level conference in Brussels today.

The main focus of the conference will be on human rights and trust building between local communities and security forces in the G5 countries within the West African Sahel region.
Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tørnæs says “I am proud of the long and active role that Denmark has played in the Sahel region in order to promote respect for human rights. The G5 Sahel Joint Force will only be able to fight terrorism, organised crime and human trafficking effectively if respect for human rights is promoted and a fundamental trust between the local community and the security forces is secured. Denmark will be focusing on military elements as well as efforts that aim to establish a relationship of trust, promote human rights and strengthen the co-operation between the G5 Sahel Joint Force and the justice system”.

The High Level Conference will take place the day before a summit on the Sahel of the European Heads of State and Government in Brussels. The summit will mainly focus on signalling full support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force that was announced by the G5 countries in early 2017. Among other things, the force is intended to fight organised crime and terrorism in the Sahel region. Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen will be representing Denmark at the summit on 23 February.

 

Source: um.dk
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Denmark is still among the least corrupt countries in the world

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Once again, Denmark is ranked in the top as one of the least corrupt countries in the world on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index that indicates perceived corruption in the public sector, which is published today. “I am glad to see that Denmark still being perceived as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. This is a good point of departure when Denmark in October gather around 25 countries and a number of international organizations with the aim of strengthening international cooperation on fighting corruption”, says Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tørnæs. 

On 22-24 October this year, Denmark will host the 18th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) in Copenhagen in cooperation with Transparency International and the IACC Council. “We will engage in discussions at political level on how to strengthen the fight against corruption. We will focus on how to strengthen the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the ambition to substantially reduce corruption”, explains Ulla Tørnæs. For several years, Denmark has been ranked as the least corrupt country in the world measured on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index indicating perceived corruption in the public sector. The Index is published annually and is based on a number of expert sources such as the World Bank, World Economic Forum and Economist Intelligence Unit. Since 2012, Denmark has been ranked as number one, either alone or together with other countries. In 2017, Denmark is ranked at second place after New Zealand.

Source: um.dk
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Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs is signing invitations to the international Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Anders Sammuelsen: “We support Ukraine in its reform efforts – also by stressing that still more needs to be done”

The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Anders Samuelsen, will be hosting – together with his Ukrainian colleague – a big international Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen on 27 June 2018. Today in Kiev, the foreign ministers signed the formal invitations to the Conference in Copenhagen. Foreign Ministers from EU-, NATO- and G7-countries as well as high-level representatives from international organisations will be invited.

“I have high expectations to the Ukraine Reform Conference in Copenhagen and I look forward to once again hos a big and important event in Copenhagen. A more modern and European-oriented Ukraine is emerging these years. Together with our international partners, we have to support this development and at the same time continuously stress the need for further progress in the reform process, especially in the fight against corruption. I have encouraged the Ukrainian Government to take advantage of the Conference as a ‘driver for change’ to speed up the reform processes in the coming months,” Anders Samuelsen says.

The Conference in Copenhagen will bring together 250 people and build on the success of the first international Ukraine Reform Conference last year in London.

Source: um.dk
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Finland to support security troops in the Sahel region

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —  Finland will fund the development of joint security troops in the Sahel region with EUR 900 000. The support will be channelled via the EU’s African Peace Facility fund, to be used to provide the troops with material support and services. Finland’s contribution cannot be directed to buy weapons or other lethal material.

The five countries located in the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) decided, at the beginning of 2017, to set up joint security forces. The aim of this initiative was to counter security threats in the region, such as terrorism, drug trafficking and human smuggling. The security troops will consist of 5000 soldiers.

The G5 troops will require, however, external support to become fully operational. The European Commission has decided to support the initiative and has created a support mechanism for this purpose.

“It is a positive sign that the countries in the region assume responsibility for their own security. As a result, the region’s problems are less likely to have spill-over effects on Europe”, says Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini.

A high-level conference will take place, on 23 February in Brussels, on the political situation, security and development in the Sahel region. Prime Minister Juha Sipilä will represent Finland at the conference.

Source: Finland.ee
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First book of Estonia 100 series introduced – Laar and Hiio introduced the first book on Monday at the Apollo cinema in Tallinn’s Solaris center

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – The series of 44 books on a wide range of different topics will eventually provide a broad overview of the first century of Estonian statehood. The first two books revisit the history of the Estonian state and were written by historian and former Prime Minister Mart Laar, and historian Toomas Hiio.

“Writing this book it felt like we’d need at least one hundred books to write down the one-hundred years of history of the Republic of Estonia. Fortunately we were able to fit this story ranging from the birth of the Estonian national movement to the creation of an independent country into two books,” Laar said.

The first book traces the events that led to the Declaration of Independence on Feb. 24, 1918, continues on with the Estonian War of Independence that followed shortly after, the growing pains of a young state, and the years that followed during which the Republic of Estonia was built as a 20th-century state.

Featured image: The first book was introduced on Feb. 19, 43 more will follow, to be published in 2018 and 2019 (Riigikantselei)
Source: News.err.ee

The Swedish Royal Guards at the Independence Day Parade in Tallinn

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — On General Riho Terras invitation Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, Micael Bydén, has given the Swedish Royal Guards the task of participating in the yearly Independence Day Parade. The parade is an essential part of Estonia’s Independence Day celebrations that take place every year on the 24th of February. 

The Royal Guard Company will participate with 11 soldiers wearing a dark blue uniform from year 1886. They will also parade with 1896 model rifles (mauser). The Royal Guard Company is especially trained for protection duties and war fighting in urban environment. They also act as honorary guard at state ceremonies. The Company is part of the Royal Guard that is one of the world’s oldest today active military formations. The Royal Guard dates back to the time of Gustav Vasa and the year of 1523.

The Royal Guard Company is here to celebrate the Republic of Estonia 100th year of independence and to show the close and highly valued co-operation that exists between Sweden and Estonia.

Source: SwedenAbroad.com
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Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen to EU development ministers’ meeting

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —  An Informal meeting of EU development ministers will be organised in Brussels on 20 February 2018. Finland’s representative at the meeting will be Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen. The ministers will discuss, among other things, EU’s financial instruments for external action after 2020, on which decisions will be made in the forthcoming negotiations concerning the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Finland considers it important that the EU’s financial instruments for external action respond to the current needs and support the political priorities of the EU better than before. “The EU must retain its lead role in development cooperation matters, and assistance must be channelled to those who need it the most. Special attention must be paid to impact and effectiveness,” Minister Virolainen says.

The EU’s actions on migration are currently financed from multiple sources.  Finland emphasises the development of coordination between different financial instruments as a way to avoid overlap and to increase the efficiency of the activities.

The EU is shaping its relationship with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) up to the present time. The cooperation is based on the Cotonou Agreement, which will expire in 2020. Finland considers that the relations between the EU and the ACP countries should be in line with the goals of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of the new European Consensus on Development. The special treatment accorded to the ACP countries should end and the partnership should be open to all developing countries that commit themselves to the principles of the agreement that concern human rights and democracy. The EU is to reach agreement about the negotiation mandate when the Foreign Affairs (Development) Council (FAC) meets on 22 May 2018, because the Post-Cotonou negotiations with the ACP will start in August 2018.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has made a proposal to establish a new subsidiary focusing on development finance to boost the use and allocation of EIB resources and to enhance the visibility of the EIB in third countries. Finland is prepared to look into the proposal in more detail when further information is available on the structure and possible administrative scenarios of the proposal.

At lunch, ministers will discuss the reform of the UN development system with Achim Steiner, Administrator of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Source: Finland.ee
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Estonian cinematographer Mart Taniel wins American Society of Cinematographers’ Spotlight award

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – Estonian cinematographer Mart Taniel won the American Society of Cinematographers’ Spotlight award for his work on Rainer Sarnet’s 2017 film November. Spotlight is the ASC’s award for professionals from outside the United States.

Other nominees included Máté Herbai with On Body and Soul as well as Mikhail Krichman with Loveless. Both films are also nominated for an Academy Award.

The American Society of Cinematographers’ awards are the year’s biggest event in this particular profession.

Source: News.err.ee

Foreign Minister Soini to Japan and South Korea

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —  On 20–27 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will visit Tokyo, Seoul and the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In Tokyo Minister Timo Soini will meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono. The ministers will discuss bilateral relations on the basis of the joint statement on the strategic partnership between the countries given in 2016. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan. The ministers will also talk about the relations between the EU and Japan, Russia, situation in the Korean Peninsula, and closer cooperation in multilateral issues.

During the visit Minister Soini will also meet representatives of the Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Group with Finland and talk at an event of the Japan National Press Club (JNPC).  All national and local media representatives are members of the JNPC. In his speech Minister Soini will highlight the importance of a rule-based international order.

From Tokyo Minister Soini will travel to Seoul. During the visit to South Korea Soini will meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea Kang Kyung-wha. The topics to be discussed include bilateral relations between Finland and South Korea and the situation in the Korean Peninsula. This is the first meeting between the two Foreign Ministers, and the aim is to further strengthen Finland’s relations with South Korea.

Also on the agenda is a visit to the demilitarised zone between South and North Korea and to the South Korean Parliament and meetings with other experts on the situation in the Korean Peninsula. Foreign Minister Soini will also visit the XXIII Winter Olympics in PyeongChang in South Korea.

Source: Finland.ee
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Compilation of biographies featuring judges and prosecutors is ready for readers

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The compilation titled “Kohtunikud, kohtu-uurijad ja prokurörid 1918–1940” (Judges, Court Investigators and Prosecutors 1918–1940) will be given as a present by the Supreme Court and the Office of the Prosecutor General to a hundred libraries and information centres, in order to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. The new lexicon comprises the careers and biographies of 387 judges and prosecutors who were in office during this time period, and it was compiled by the legal historian Toomas Anepaio. The lexicon is published in Estonian.

The book contains photographs and biographical data about the judges and prosecutors of the independent Republic of Estonia including their: date and place of birth, education and career including their military service, awards, memberships in associations, and the repression suffered by the persons in question as well as by their families. Priit Pikamäe, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said that quite a few of the judges found the courage to stand up to the regime at that time, and the lexicon is partly a nod of recognition to the loved ones of these judges and prosecutors, many of whom were subject to repression because their fathers or husbands held the position of a judge or a prosecutor.

“I sincerely hope that, in the near future, all the judges and prosecutors who have worked in Estonia will receive a mention – a second volume of the lexicon could concentrate on the period of occupation, while a third might name those judges who assumed office from 1991,” said Pikamäe. “The first prosecutor in Estonia began working in a court a hundred years ago. This was probably considered to be the best way for the court to get the highest quality evidence as a basis for the administration of justice,” said Lavly Perling, the Prosecutor General.

She added that, over time, the prosecutors moved away from the court in terms of constitutional law and they are now a part of the nation’s executive power. The independence of the courts and the equal treatment of judges are considered to be important cornerstones in the administration of justice. “All the same, we are still connected by the umbilical cord of law, so to speak. The prosecutors still have a duty to ensure the best conditions for the high quality administration of justice that will increase people’s trust, through presenting evidence that is acceptable to the court and through sound charges,” said Perling.

The lexicon was presented on 9 February at the Judicial Conference of Estonia and will also be presented on 6 April at the Prosecutors’ Assembly. The book is available for purchase through the website of the University of Tartu Press at www.tyk.ee. The lexicon will be delivered to the one hundred libraries and information centres – including those in every Estonian town and county – during the coming months.

Source: Riigikohus.ee
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