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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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Finance Committee of the Riigikogu sent the Bill on motor vehicle tax to the first reading

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Motor Vehicle Tax Bill (364 SE), initiated by the Government, provides for the introduction of a motor vehicle tax from 2025. The tax will consist of two parts. The first part will be paid annually by motor vehicle owners on vehicles registered in the motor register. The motor vehicle tax rate on passenger cars will be made up of the base component, the specific CO2 emissions component and the gross vehicle weight component. The second part will be the motor vehicle registration fee, which will be paid before the registration of passenger cars and vans in the motor register.

Chair of the Finance Committee Annely Akkermann said that the aim of the motor vehicle tax was to curb the increasing motorisation and gradually make the Estonian car fleet more sustainable. “The implementation of the Bill will also have an important impact on improving the state of public finances to cover increased defence spending,” Akkermann explained.

The motor vehicle tax is expected to contribute 236 million euro per year to the state budget in the first full year of the implementation of the tax.

Akkermann added that the tax was aimed at making a more environmentally friendly choice when buying a new vehicle. The purpose of the motor vehicle tax is not to remove old vehicles from the road, and it supports the consumption of old cars until the end of product life. The tax will make the purchase and owning of passenger cars 5–15% more expensive in comparison to today. The specific change for car owners will depend on the type of car they own or plan to buy. The tax burden on more polluting and heavier cars will be higher. As the vehicle gets older, the tax burden will become lower.

Member of the Finance Committee Aivar Kokk thinks that the introduction of motor vehicle tax is unjustified. “The motor vehicle tax reduces people’s economic security and the competitiveness of businesses. Introducing a new tax in the context of an economic downturn is not the right move, and it will not help make the economy grow,” Kokk said. He added that a car tax was not the right way to raise the revenues of the treasury.

According to the Bill, the motor vehicle tax will be collected by the Tax and Customs Board. The registration fee will be collected by the Transport Administration and it will be paid before the making of register entry on the motor vehicle, and be a precondition for making of entry. The Tax and Customs Board will develop a new motor vehicle tax registry under the register of taxable persons. The Transport Administration will make the relevant amendments in the database of the motor register. The alarm vehicles, the vehicles rebuilt to accommodate people with disabilities and, on the basis of international agreements, the vehicles of foreign missions will be exempt from the motor vehicle tax and registration fee.

Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev and the officials of the Ministry gave explanations about the tax at the sitting of the Finance Committee.

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

Link uudisele: Finance Committee of the Riigikogu sent the Bill on motor vehicle tax to the first reading

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Members of the Riigikogu condemn Russia’s activities in deporting Ukrainian children

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The members of the Riigikogu point out that the deliberate and systematic deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia and Belarus is a war crime and genocide under international law. They say that the aim of Russia and Belarus is to destroy the Ukrainian nation and identity by killing, wounding, traumatising and relocating Ukrainian children. During the war of aggression started by the Russian Federation in 2014, hundreds of thousands of children have been taken from the territories of Ukraine to Russia.

In the draft Statement, the Riigikogu strongly condemns the deliberate and systematic deportation of children from Ukraine by Russia and Belarus in violation of international law, as well as Russia’s decision to grant citizenship to Ukrainian children under a simplified procedure, with the aim of forcibly changing their identity and assimilating them into Russia’s society.

The Riigikogu demands that Russia and Belarus release the children deported from Ukraine and ensure their safe return to Ukraine, and calls on all states to assist in the return to Ukraine of the children deported to Russia and Belarus and to cooperate in this effort.

In the draft Statement, the Riigikogu expresses support to the 10-point peace plan proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which includes the return of the persons deported to Russia and Belarus, and acknowledges the establishment of an international coalition focusing on the return of the children. The Riigikogu also acknowledges the work of the International Criminal Court in fighting against impunity, in particular the arrest warrants issued in March 2023 against the President of the Russian Federation and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights on charges of illegal deportation and resettlement of Ukrainian children.

Exhibition of pictures drawn by Ukrainian children will be opened at the Riigikogu

In order to draw attention to Russia’s war crimes against Ukrainian children, Pakosta and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia Maksym Kononenko will open an exhibition of drawings and toys made by Ukrainian war refugee children staying in Estonia in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu today. Representatives of the Ukrainian community will also participate in the opening ceremony, which will start at 1 p.m., and there will be a musical performance by pupils of the Freedom School of Estonia.

The exhibition features Ukrainian children’s drawings on wooden plates, depicting their pets who had to be left back home because of the war. Anatoly Lyutyuk, founder of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Tallinn, offered the children the opportunity for art therapy, and also made wooden figures of the pets to help the children feel a connection with their homeland and keep alive the hope of returning home.

The exhibition “Tallinn’s Ark – Drawings and Toys by Ukrainian Refugee Children” will be open in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu until 22 February.

The Riigikogu has issued seven statements in support of Ukraine

Since the beginning of 2022, the Riigikogu has adopted seven Statements and one Communication to condemn Russia’s activities and to express support to Ukraine. The Riigikogu has also recognised the actions committed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the military aggression against Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation, and has declared Russia a terrorist regime and the Russian Federation a state sponsor of terrorism, whose actions must be confronted together. The Riigikogu has also supported the establishment of a centre for investigating Russia’s crime of aggression by the European Union in The Hague, called on the countries of the world to contribute in every way to the activities of the centre, and to continue with efforts to set up an international special tribunal.

In May last year, the Riigikogu adopted the Statement in support of Ukraine’s wish to join NATO as the only way to ensure a rules-based world order, lasting peace and the security of the democratic countries of Europe. In June, the Riigikogu adopted a Statement in which it demanded holding to account individually those involved in planning, preparation, launching and committing the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and called on establishing for this a special international tribunal under the auspices of the UN.

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

Link uudisele: Members of the Riigikogu condemn Russia’s activities in deporting Ukrainian children

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu appointed new members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia consists of a Chairman, representatives of the parliamentary groups of the Riigikogu and specialists of the field. The principle to govern the forming of the Supervisory Board is that each parliamentary group of the Riigikogu nominates one of its members and the Chairman of the Board nominates four specialists of the field.

The membership of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia includes Members of the Riigikogu Anti Allas, Aivar Kokk, Andres Sutt, Igor Taro, Jaak Valge and the new member Lauri Laats as well as experts in the field Ivi Proos, Krista Jaakson, Karin Jõeveer and Toomas Tamsar.

64 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Resolution and one was against. There were three abstentions.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Eleen Lindmaa
+372 631 6456, +372 5551 4433
eleen.lindmaa@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu appointed new members of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Pikhof and Odinets observe elections in Azerbaijan

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Pikhof said that the aim of the observers was to monitor whether the presidential election adhered to democratic principles, and that transparent voting procedures and a fair campaign atmosphere were ensured. “Most probably the current President Ilham Aliyev will be re-elected for his fifth term of presidency, but we will observe that all candidates are treated equally,” Pikhof explained. She will be observing the election in Salyan District.

Odinets added that during the presidential election in Azerbaijan, it was also important to monitor media accessibility, and the accurate reporting of results. “We will observe the opening of polling places, voting, counting of ballots as well as the reporting of results. And we will certainly monitor whether journalists are able to do their work freely, as is appropriate in democratic elections.” Odinets will be observing the election in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

This is the first election in Azerbaijan that will be held on its entire internationally recognised territory. More than 80 members of 27 national parliaments will observe the presidential election in Azerbaijan within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. The purpose of the mission is to make sure that the elections adhere to the democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document.

Deploying of election observation missions has been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards. This is the tenth time the OSCE PA has observed elections in Azerbaijan since 1995.

For more information, please contact:
Heljo Pikhof +372 511 9637
Eduard Odinets +372 501 8934

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

Link uudisele: Pikhof and Odinets observe elections in Azerbaijan

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar: Estonia supports Kosovo’s aspirations towards EU membership

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar acknowledged the increasingly close relations between Estonia and Kosovo and assured that Estonia was following the developments in the region with great attention. “We can see that you are focused on implementing reforms and building up your country,” he said.

Hussar confirmed that Estonia supported Kosovo in its aspirations to become a member of the European Union as well as other international organisations, and was ready to share its experience. “We wish to support you on this path in every possible way,” said the President of the Riigikogu at the meeting, and expressed his satisfaction that Kosovo’s long-awaited visa-free regime with the European Union had entered into force on 1 January.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Kosovo thanked the Estonian state and people for their strong support for Kosovo, and pointed out that Estonia had been one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo’s independence in 2008. Hussar emphasised that it was important for Estonia that the process of recognition of Kosovo as an independent state would continue.

At the meeting, the Speakers also discussed Kosovo’s relations with Serbia and the situation in the Western Balkans in general. Hussar considered it important to make efforts to normalise relations.

The Speakers also discussed Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. According to Hussar, it is crucial that Western aid to Ukraine continues. “The recent agreement reached at the European Council to allocate 50 billion euros is a big step, but Ukraine needs much more military assistance from its allies to win the war of aggression launched by Russia. We must to act collectively to this end, because Russia is at war not only with Ukraine, but with the entire Western world,” said the President of the Riigikogu.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Kosovo is on an official visit to Estonia today. At the Riigikogu, he will also have meetings with Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu and members of the National Defence Committee, as well as with the Estonia-Kosovo Parliamentary Friendship Group. He will also meet with President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and visit the e-Estonia Briefing Centre and the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

Link uudisele: Hussar: Estonia supports Kosovo’s aspirations towards EU membership

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Glauk Konjufca visits Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Speaker of the parliament of Kosovo will have meetings with President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu and members of the National Defence Committee, as well as the Estonia-Kosovo Parliamentary Friendship Group. He will also meet with President of the Republic Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

During his stay in Tallinn, the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo will also visit the e-Estonia Briefing Centre and meet with the representatives of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

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

Link uudisele: Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Glauk Konjufca visits Estonia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairs of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees start visit to the USA

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

On Monday, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will meet with Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis and Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya in New York. They will also visit the Columbia University, where they will participate in a panel discussion addressing Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the security situation in the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States, the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO as well as the situation in the Middle East. The discussion will start at 7 p.m. (EET) on Monday and last for 1.5 hours. It will be live streamed online.

From New York, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will travel to Washington, where they will spend three days, and meet with senators and members of the House of Representatives, as well as representatives of think tanks and journalists. They are also planning to have meetings at the State Department and the American Jewish Committee.

The impacts of the war of aggression started by Russia against Ukraine will be discussed at all meetings, and the importance of continued assistance to Ukraine will be underlined, as the outcome of the war will influence the entire values-based world order. Defence spending and defence cooperation between countries, and the strengthening of deterrence and defence on the NATO Eastern flank will also be spoken about at the meetings.

Marko Mihkelson from the Parliament of Estonia, Rihards Kols from the Parliament of Latvia, Žygimantas Pavilionis from the Parliament of Lithuania, Michael Aastrup Jensen from the Parliament of Denmark, Diljá Mist Einarsdóttir from the Parliament of Iceland, Ine Eriksen Søreide from the Parliament of Norway, and Aron Emilsson from the Parliament of Sweden participate in the joint visit.

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

Link uudisele: Chairs of Nordic and Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees start visit to the USA

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar in the USA: Ukraine needs the support of the West until its victory

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar noted that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was an attack against the entire democratic world and therefore it was crucial that strong support for Ukraine would continue until Ukraine had won the war. “The Baltic States will continue to give Ukraine comprehensive assistance, and in the meetings here we were assured that the need for continued support for Ukraine is also well understood by members of the US Congress,” he said.

Hussar also underlined the importance of holding Russia to account – the perpetrators of crimes committed in Ukraine, including the crime of aggression, must be brought before the special tribunal, and Russia must also compensate the damage caused to Ukraine. He pointed out that, like the Congress, the Riigikogu was also debating a Bill that would provide for the possibility to use Russia’s assets frozen under international sanctions to compensate Ukraine for the war damage caused to it.

At the meetings, the Speakers of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments also discussed the US-Baltic defence cooperation, the increasing of defence spending and the activities of countries to strengthen security in the region. Hussar highlighted that since the start of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, all Baltic States have increased their defence spending, and this year Estonia’s defence budget for the first time exceeded three per cent of GDP. The Baltic Speakers thanked the US as one of their closest allies for the good cooperation and great contribution to the security of the Baltic region.

In Washington, the Speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States had meetings with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Benjamin Cardin, and other members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Before arriving in the USA, the Baltic Speakers were on a joint visit to Canada.

Hussar was on the joint visit together with Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. The visit ended today.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar in the USA: Ukraine needs the support of the West until its victory

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar in Canada: Ukraine is on the front line of the defence of our values

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting with Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Greg Fergus in Ottawa, Hussar said that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was an attack against our values-based world order. “The whole democratic world must make efforts to defend it. We must continue to support Ukraine in every way until Ukraine’s victory. Ukraine is on the front line of the defence of our values,” he said, and added that, besides providing military assistance, it was also necessary to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Hussar emphasised that Russia must compensate Ukraine for the damage it has caused with its war of aggression. He pointed out that the Riigikogu was discussing a Bill which would create a legal mechanism to use Russia’s assets frozen under international sanctions to compensate the war damages caused to Ukraine, and emphasised the importance of cooperation with the Parliament of Canada that was debating a similar Bill. Speaking of cooperation in NATO, Hussar underlined the need to do everything possible to bring Ukraine closer to NATO at the Washington Summit in summer.

The Speakers of the Baltic parliaments thanked Canada, as the framework country of the NATO Battlegroup in Latvia, for its contribution to increasing the security of the Baltic States. At the meeting, the Speakers also discussed the strengthening of national defence capabilities, and defence and economic cooperation. The Baltic Speakers also met with members of the Canada-Nordic-Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group.

The Speakers’ visit will continue in the United States, where they will have meetings with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Benjamin Cardin, and other members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Besides Hussar, Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen participate in the joint visit.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar in Canada: Ukraine is on the front line of the defence of our values

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Baltic Speakers visit Canada and the USA

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

On Saturday, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar will attend the festival PostEstDocs in Toronto. The festival is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the great escape from Estonia and there will be a screening of films that tell the tales of Estonian refugees in Canada. He will also meet with the members of the Estonian Central Council, and with Ellen Valter, who is the Chair of the Steering Committee for KESKUS, the International Estonian Centre to be built in downtown Toronto to showcase Estonia’s heritage and promote Estonian innovation.

On Sunday, Hussar, together with representatives of the Lutheran congregation of Hamilton, will lay a wreath at the memorial monument to Estonian refugees, and visit Hamilton Estonian School that teaches the Estonian language and culture to both children and adults in order to sustain the Estonian community and keep contact with Estonia.

The joint visit of the Speakers of the Baltic parliaments will start on Monday in Ottawa, where they will meet with Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Greg Fergus, and members of the Canada-Nordic-Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group. The discussions at the meetings will focus on developments in the Baltic Sea region, enlargement of NATO, supporting Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

Afterwards, the Speakers of the Baltic parliaments will travel to the USA, where they will meet with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson to discuss cooperation, strengthening the security in the Baltic Sea region, aid to Ukraine and using of Russia’s frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. In Washington, the Baltic Speakers will also meet with Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Benjamin Cardin, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and other members of the House of Representative and the Senate.

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

Link uudisele: Baltic Speakers visit Canada and the USA

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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