Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu said that Sweden was a very important security and defence cooperation partner and ally for Estonia. “Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO has significantly strengthened the security of our region and made it possible to increase defence information exchange and cooperation, both bilaterally and within the framework of NATO collective defence,” he pointed out.
Stoicescu said that at the meetings in Stockholm, the National Defence Committee planned to discuss the current situation of defence and security cooperation and future plans, including the measures for strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Relations with the United States, and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its impacts will also be addressed during the visit.
The delegation of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu will meet with Chair Peter Hultqvist and members of the Committee on Defence of the Riksdag, as well as with representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Forces of Sweden. Members of the National Defence Committee also plan to have a meeting at the Swedish Defence Research Agency.
The delegation of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu consists of Chairman Kalev Stoicescu, Deputy Chairman Leo Kunnas and members of the Committee Meelis Kiili and Peeter Tali.
In a speech delivered in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea in Tallinn, Hussar emphasised that we were a nation that believed in education and wisdom, and the results of this were reflected in more than just the high scores in the PISA tests. He pointed out that Estonia stood high and strong in all the ranking charts measuring freedom, legal certainty and development. “And even though there are times when we feel discontented, and sharp arrows of criticism can be heard about our lives and developments, I am sure that deep down we all agree–Estonia, you are the best place in the world to live! And not just because of our mother tongue, our spiritual liberality, our green environment and the goodness of heart of our people, but also because of our ability to create our own future,” he said.
According to Hussar, Estonia is ready for the next leap forward, and we are in a good starting position for that in education, in energy, as well as in economy and in shaping our living environment. “Our will and our love for our country will guide us on this way,” he said.
In his speech, Hussar also spoke of the contribution of the people of Estonia in supporting Ukraine that today entered its fourth year of war, and pointed out that on a per capita basis, our military and economic assistance was the largest in the world. “We do this because we care about the free world, and because we are aware of and know Russia’s imperialist and criminal nature. We know the orcish and murderous nature of Russia’s leader Putin. We do not wish any person or democratic people to suffer a fate in the Gulag,” he said. “We are also aware of the blind love of imperialism of Moscow’s religious leaders, who describe war crimes as an entrance ticket to paradise, and we never have confusion about concepts like aggressor, dictator or war criminal.“
Hussar underlined that we also knew that it was possible to conclude peace with Russia on our terms. “The Tartu Peace Treaty, concluded under the leadership of Estonian politician Jaan Poska, was made possible by Estonia’s military superiority, the support of our allies, and effective economic sanctions. Only such a formula can be a roadmap to lasting peace for Ukraine,” the President of the Riigikogu said, adding that all the countries and peoples of the free world must pull themselves together and continue their committed support for Ukraine, because otherwise freedom would be lost.
Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said a blessing at the flag raising ceremony, and Erling Eding, student of the Drama School of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, read out the Estonian Declaration of Independence. The united male choir of the Estonian Male Choir Association, the boys choir and the preparatory choir of the Estonian National Opera, and Tallinn Police Orchestra performed “Eesti lipp” (“Flag of Estonia”, music by Enn Võrk, words by Martin Lipp), “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit” (“God Save Estonia”, music by Juhan Aavik, words by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp), “Jää vabaks, Eesti meri” (“Stay Free, Estonian Sea!”, by Viktor Konstantin Oxford), and “Kodumaa” (“Homeland”, music by Raimond Kull, words by Mihkel Veske).
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar will deliver a speech at the ceremony. Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma will say a blessing. Erling Eding, Student of the Drama School of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, will read out the Estonian Declaration of Independence.
President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, President Kersti Kaljulaid, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, members of the Riigikogu and the Government, representatives of constitutional institutions and the diplomatic corps, the Estonian Flag Association and the leadership of the Defence Forces and the Defence League have been invited to the ceremony.
The flag guards of academic associations, patriotic organisations and schools will attend the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden.
The united male choir of the Estonian Male Choir Association, boys choir and preparatory choir (Juhanid) of the Estonian National Opera, and Tallinn Police Orchestra will perform “Eesti lipp” (“Flag of Estonia”, music by Enn Võrk, words by Martin Lipp; conductor Indrek Vijard), “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit” (“God Save Estonia”, music by Juhan Aavik, words by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp; conductor Kuldar Schüts), “Jää vabaks, Eesti meri” (“Stay Free, Estonian Sea!”, by Viktor Konstantin Oxford; conductor Martin Einmann), and “Kodumaa” (“Homeland”, music by Raimond Kull, words by Mihkel Veske; conductor Riivo Jõgi).
The ceremony will end at around 8.05 a.m.
Live coverage of the ceremony with sign language interpretation will be provided by ETV and ETV2. The ceremony will also be broadcast by ETV+ and Vikerraadio.
“Global power relations are changing before our very eyes,” says the Head of the Estonian delegation Mati Raidma in his speech. “Europe has reached a critical point. We have seen many attacks and acts of sabotage against the infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Russia also continues to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure,” says Raidma, who is a special rapporteur on the OSCE PA on Ukraine for the first year, with special interest in resilience.
Raidma emphasises that we cannot forget the energy and infrastructure security in Ukraine and must show full solidarity with our friends in Ukraine in every possible way. He sees it as vital that OSCE continues a policy of fair peace and liability of the aggressor, not rekindling relations with Moscow, and that Europe continues supporting Ukraine until the victory.
Heljo Pikhof, member of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions of the Assembly, will speak on social media, AI, and elections. “Disinformation has spread around the world. We must enhance digital hygiene and media competence in our societies. Only a society with a strong media competence can withstand the rise of misinformation and AI,” Pikhof said.
The Winter Meeting takes place today and tomorrow in Austria, where the committees of the OSCE PA convene: the Committee on Political Affairs and Security; the Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment; the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions; and the Standing Committee. There will also be fringe meetings between Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8) as well as between NB8 and Ukraine.
The aim of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is to increase the involvement of its participating states in resolving European political and security issues, to enhance civilian control over military affairs, and to strengthen the responsibility and influence of members of parliament.
President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar welcomed the initiative of the school students. “It is only natural that in the only country in the world where the very first, original flag still exists, schoolchildren form an association of flag guard teams and thus promote our flag culture to even greater heights,” the President of the Riigikogu said.
The initiator of the idea to form the Association, final year pupil of Tallinn School No. 21 Ernst Johannes Pae said at the founding ceremony that the most important purpose of the Association was to promote flag culture in schools, and it was necessary that this process was led by young people themselves. “When they hold the most important symbol of Estonia, the blue, black and white flag, in their hands, students can feel the historical significance of this flag. In this way, we can contribute to the continuity of the symbols of the Estonian state,” Pae said.
The motto of the Association of Flag Guards of Estonian Schools is ‘Vexillum signum libertatis’ (‘Flag is the symbol of freedom’).
The task of the flag guards team of a school is to ceremonially carry and raise the school flag and the flag of Estonia at various ceremonies and days of national importance, both at school and at various public events. The flag guard teams follow a strict code of etiquette and symbolise the dignity of the school and the country, and carry on traditions.
One of the aims of the newly created association is to train new flag guard teams and to help school flag guard teams raise equipment and funds.
The Association of Flag Guards of Estonian Schools was founded by the flag guard teams of Gustav Adolf Grammar School, Kadriorg German Gymnasium, Kohtla-Järve Gymnasium, Tallinn Mustamäe State Upper Secondary School, Tallinn English College, Tallinn French School, Tallinn Secondary School of Science, Tallinn Co-education Gymnasium, Tallinn School No. 21 and Jakob Westholm Gymnasium.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic on the establishment of a temporary solidarity tax for the banking sector” (535 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group, was intended to make a proposal to the Government to develop a Bill to impose a temporary solidarity tax on the Estonian banking sector for 2025–2027. According to the proposal, the tax rate would be 50 per cent of the annual profit of the bank and the funds collected would be used to fund social and educational projects as well as infrastructure and environmentally sustainable initiatives in Estonia.
Andre Hanimägi took part in the debate on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group and Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski on behalf of the Reform Party Group, as well as Igor Taro from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Lauri Laats from the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group.
A majority vote of the members of the Riigikogu was needed for the Resolution to be passed. 10 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution. Thus the Resolution was rejected.
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, that was on the agenda was not deliberated at the sitting because the presenter of the draft Resolution was absent.
The interpellators wanted to know why the education agreement had failed to be concluded.
Kallas explained that, probably for the first time in the history of Estonia, there had been such a large number of people around the table who were responsible for the provision and quality of general education in Estonia, the future generations of teachers, the salary and working conditions of teachers, the school network and all that. They had actually started to negotiate about what they should do in Estonia so that teachers are not overburdened, so that young teachers want to work in schools, so that they can sustainably ensure future generations of teachers, so that teachers are motivated, so that they get a career model that shows them the perspective of how a career can actually be made in this profession. “It was the first time that we negotiated with a large number of parties, sitting at such a large table, for nine months,” Kallas said.
She added that, even if the education agreement did not have the signatures of some local governments, the process itself had been a great lesson for all parties about how difficult it was to manage education in Estonia. “Because our field of education is divided into the spheres of responsibilities of local governments, private schools and the state,” Kallas noted.
“Despite the fact that Tallinn’s signature is not on this education agreement, starting from this school year, the city of Tallinn is implementing all the items that have been agreed upon in the education agreement,” Kallas stated. She explained that Tallinn was reducing the number of students in its class sets in order to reduce the workload of teachers. Tallinn is reducing the number of contact lessons for teachers in order to reduce the burden of teachers. “In other words, all the steps concerning the reduction of the burden of teachers about which we finally agreed upon in the education agreement are being taken today by the City of Tallinn,” Kallas said. She noted that, in fact, the education agreement was being implemented. “Despite the fact that the city of Tallinn refused to sign it for political reasons,” Kallas stated.
According to Kallas, local governments had admitted that they lacked the financial means to meet the conditions of the education agreement. “If the state gives more money, if the 2026 budget shows that there will be an increase in the differentiation fund, then they will start to fulfil the conditions of the education agreement and they will also agree to sign the education agreement on an ongoing basis after that,” Kallas explained.
“If we want to solve the problem of new generations of teachers in Estonia in the long term, we will have to switch to the form of collective agreements regarding teachers’ salaries. In other words, Estonia will have to introduce the Nordic model where teachers can have confidence about their salary agreements at least two or three years in advance, because this ensures that teacher’s profession is an option. Today we have financial agreements for one year at a time,” Kallas said. She referred to the fact that the State Budget Act did not allow the state to assume legal obligations regarding subsidies for a longer period than one year. “The teachers’ salary in the state budget is a subsidy to local governments,” Kallas admitted. She added that the funds that were to be paid to teachers at state-maintained schools through the Ministry of Education constituted the only budget item where teachers’ salary was not a subsidy. Under this item, it is allowed to legally assume obligations for a longer term than just one year.
In financial terms, the funds to manage basic schools, including teachers’ salary funds, are allocated to the revenue basis of local governments. “In such a case, the money is in the revenue base of the local governments, and in such a case, the local government representing basic school teachers, the state representing upper secondary school teachers, and private schools representing private school teachers are negotiating a collective agreement with teachers. And the teachers’ trade union is on the other side,” Kallas explained.
She expressed the hope that a large number of municipalities would actually begin to implement those agreements. “Amendments to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act will soon come to the Riigikogu, and with them, the career model for teachers will be put in place,” the Minister said.
“The career model will lay down much clearer rules on what kind of support a teacher needs at different stages of their career, what responsibilities a teacher has in the school where they work at any stage of their career, and what their salary numbers are in terms of the minimum rate when they work in different stages of their career,” the minister said.
Kallas also replied to interpellations concerning the international cooperation of the Estonian Academy of Arts (No. 677), the ending of the funding for school psychologists’ advice line 1226 (No. 683) and the merger of schools for children with special educational needs (No. 684).
Minister of Climate Yoko Alender replied to the interpellation concerning the plans to establish an offshore industrial wind farm near the island of Saaremaa (No. 680).
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Piret Hartman replied to interpellations concerning regional representatives (No. 706) and the impact on regional policy as the train company Elron was raising ticket prices (No. 708).
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart took the floor during the open microphone.
On Tuesday, the members of the Riigikogu plan to have meetings with Military Representative of the Permanent Representation of Estonia to NATO and EU, Major General Enno Mõts, Deputy Secretary General of NATO Radmila Shekerinska and Permanent Representative of Estonia to NATO Jüri Luik. The discussions at the meetings will focus on Europea’s military autonomy, the division of tasks between NATO and the European Union, and transatlantic cooperation.
On Wednesday, the members of the EU Affairs Committee will meet with European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, with whom they will discuss the future of European defence, increasing defence spending, developing defence industry, construction of critical security infrastructure, cooperation between the EU and NATO and hybrid attacks against critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson will also participate in this meeting.
The EU Affairs Committee delegation also plans to have meetings on Wednesday with Helen Kaljuläte, Ambassador of Estonia to Belgium, Sanna Laaksonen, Defence Expert of the Cabinet of Commission’s Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, as well as with Indrek Kannik, Julia Luts and Oliver Mõru, members of the Cabinet of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. They will also meet with Kyllike Sillaste-Elling, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the EU, Marten Kokk, Deputy Permanent Representative Estonia to the EU, and Lauri Kuusing, Estonian Permanent Representative to the EU’s Political and Security Committee.
On Thursday, the members of the EU Affairs Committee will meet with Jüri Laas, Spokesperson of the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, and Matti Maasikas, Managing Director for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service, and Gábor Horváth, Deputy Director General of the European Union Military Staff. They will also have meetings with Estonian Members of the European Parliament Riho Terras and Sven Mikser.
During the first half of the week, Chair of the Finance Committee of the Riigikogu Annely Akkermann and member of the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Hele Everaus will also be in Brussels, where they will attend the Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union held within the framework of the European Parliamentary Week. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson will be in Brussels to participate in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the European Parliament and national parliaments.
According to the Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali, Estonia’s positions reinforce the will to decisively increase Europe’s defence readiness. “Estonia’s positions are based on the report by former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö and strongly support the actions of the European Union and its Member States to strengthen Europe’s civil and military preparedness. Cooperation with NATO is important for defence readiness and crisis resilience, but at the same time the European Union must avoid duplicating NATO and clearly take into account and support NATO’s collective defence needs,” Tali said.
“The development of the vital infrastructure for north-south connections, or completing the construction of the Rail Baltic railway and the Via Baltica road, has an important and time-critical key role in strengthening Europe’s civilian and military readiness. At present, Latvia, Estonia and Finland are like island states in terms of connections.”
It was pointed out at the sitting that the exchange of information and the presentation of the threat picture to decision-makers should be promoted. The EU leaders have a sense of security, but it still takes too much work and too much time to implement ideas in the Member States. Estonia believes that it is necessary to give additional impetus to various initiatives by providing guidelines to the new European Commission.
The issue of increasing crisis resilience was also addressed at the sitting. It was pointed out that military as well as hybrid, climate and pandemics threats need to be taken into account. The European Union Affairs Committee noted that it was important to deal with the prepositioning of stocks and the acquisition of the resources necessary for coping in different crises. The positions underline that it must be possible to use the EU’s common civil protection and rescue capabilities in the event of a military emergency, and that this threat must be taken into account in the prepositioning of stocks.
As regards critical and vital underwater infrastructure, the need to strengthen Estonia’s ability to respond quickly to disruptions, as well as to detain vessels that have caused damage, was highlighted. Estonia’s positions also underline the need to create a system in the European Union that would enable to rapidly repair the underwater infrastructure.
Estonia supports the actions that strengthen the EU’s readiness to prevent subversion and sabotage by hostile third countries, make it more difficult to carry out such operations, and enhance punishing for and political attribution of such activities.
The European Union Affairs Committee decided to amend Estonia’s positions and to highlight the importance of Rail Baltic and Via Baltica. Estonia believes that the promotion and financing of military mobility, both by railway and by road, plays an important role in increasing the European Union’s defence readiness.
The Committee also added a position according to which it is necessary to speed up and enhance the cooperation between Member States in order to harmonise approaches to prosecuting the owners of vessels that have damaged underwater infrastructure and compensating for the damage caused.
The positions of the Government regarding strengthening Europe’s civilian and military readiness were presented by National Security and Defence Coordination Director of the Government Office Erkki Tori and Director for European Union Affairs at the Government Office Katrin Juhandi.
