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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly focuses on economic impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and on civil defence

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

President of the Baltic Assembly (BA) Timo Suslov thinks that the year of the Estonian presidency of the BA has been marked by the continuation of building a resilient, secure, reliable and sustainable Baltic region. “This is especially important as there is a war going on in Europe. On the one hand, Russia’s war in Ukraine made the Baltic States reassess their security and encouraged us to patch up the gaps in the security capabilities of our countries. At the same time, the Baltic States must remain united and unwaveringly strong in their support for Ukraine and work to expose the true face of Russia,” Suslov underlined. “We warned time and again about Russia, but unfortunately no one believed us. Now, seeing that the parties are getting tired and priorities are changing, we, the Baltic parliamentarians, must continue this important work with determination and consistently.”

Suslov added that such organisations of parliamentary cooperation like the Baltic Assembly were of help in resolving global crises and he was happy to note that over the years, the Baltic Assembly had proven to be an excellent way to bring together parliamentarians from different parts of the world.

The meeting of parliamentarians will begin today with an award ceremony where the Baltic Assembly prizes and medals are awarded. This year, the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts went to to Estonian artist Peeter Laurits for his outstanding and diverse artistic work and the project ‘Biotoopia’. The Prize in Literature was awarded to Lithuanian translator and poet Antanas A. Jonynas for his collection of sonnets “Naujieji sonetai”. The Prize in Science was awarded to Latvian musicologist Arnolds Laimonis Klotiņš for his monographs on music and creative life in post-war Stalinist Latvia and the Latvian music life in exile in Europe during the same period. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at the Concert Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

Tomorrow, the meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly and the Speakers of the national parliaments of the Baltic States will take place in the Riigikogu. After that, at 10 a.m., the 42nd Session of the BA will be opened. At the opening of the Session, the speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States will deliver speeches. The Session will be chaired by the President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov and Vice-Presidents of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas and Jānis Vucāns.

The Baltic Council, the cooperation assembly of the Governments and the parliaments of the Baltic States, will hold its 29th meeting on Friday. The sitting of the Baltic Council will be chaired by Chairman of the Co-operation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia , Margus Tsahkna and President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš will also deliver speeches.

On Friday at 1 p.m., a press conference will be held in the White Hall of the Riigikogu, where it will be possible to pose questions to the heads of delegations and the foreign ministers of the Baltic States. Immediately before the press conference, the President of the BA and Chair of the Baltic Council of Ministers will sign the Joint Statement of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers.

The BA session will continue in the afternoon. At the afternoon session, the impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on economy as well as effective civil defence will be discussed. At the end of the session, the new President of the Baltic Assembly will be elected, and the Resolution and the final documents of the 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly will be signed. After the end of the Session, Estonia will hand over the presidency of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers to Lithuania.

The Baltic Assembly (Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania) is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States which discusses issues of mutual interest. The Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA is Timo Suslov, the Deputy Head is Enn Eesmaa. The members of the delegation are Arvo Aller, Karmen Joller, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Priit Lomp, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali.

Members of the press are welcome to cover all these events. Please notify us of your wish to participate at maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee.

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

Link uudisele: 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly focuses on economic impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and on civil defence

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The deliberation of a Bill which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government was adjourned in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The deliberation of the Bill on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and Other Acts (295 SE), initiated by the Government, which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government before the second reading, was adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the sitting and will continue at tomorrow’s sitting. According to the Bill, the support to people who resettle from abroad will no longer be paid to people who will settle in Estonia after 1 January 2024 and the grant of the support will be terminated on 1 April 2029. At present, 36 people are receiving the support.

According to the Bill, it had initially been planned to allow the Social Insurance Board to refuse home delivery of a benefit if any other benefit was being paid to the current account of the beneficiary. Under an amendment made to the Bill before the second reading, the relevant provisions will be omitted from the Bill and the principle currently in force will not be changed. This means that, in the future, it will also be possible for example to have pension delivered to home by post, even if the Social Insurance Board is paying another benefit to the current account of the beneficiary.

An amendment was also made to the Bill to specify issues relating to the funding of the special welfare service and the conclusion of the contract for the provision of the service and to amend the bases for the service of supported employment. People with special needs have got protected employment within the framework of a pilot project so far but as the trial period is ending, the Bill is intended to ensure the service of supported employment as a state service starting from next year. The amendments will help the Social Insurance Board ensure people with special needs a smoother transition to the new service from the start of the new budget year. With the specification of the content of the employment support service, a clearer description of the service will be established which will formulate the opportunity to provide employment in protected conditions and at service providers for people who do not take up independent employment. A total of 6.11 million euro worth of additional funds are planned to be allocated to the base budget for special welfare services under the State Budget for 2024 Bill. At least 170 places for receipt of the employment support service are also planned to be financed from them.

In addition, the time of entry into force of the amendments relating to the closed child care institution service is postponed by a year with a motion to amend. According to amendments passed earlier, it was intended to transfer the closed child care institution service provided at Maarjamaa Educational College, as well as its budget and real estate from the area of administration of the Ministry of Education and Research to the area of administration of the Ministry of Social Affairs, and to change the current organisation of the service. The preparations necessary for the comprehensive transfer of the service have been taking longer however and it will be impossible to transfer the organisation of the service from 1 July 2024, and therefore the time of entry into force of the amendments relating to the closed child care institution service will be postponed by a year until 1 July 2025.

The Bill initiated by the Government had passed the first reading on 18 October, and members of the Riigikogu had submitted 50 motions to amend it by the deadline. On 16 November, the Government had decided to declare the passing of the Bill a matter of confidence in the Government before the second reading and thereby also taken over the duties of the lead committee. Motions to amend a Bill that has been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government are not put to a vote.

At the second reading of the Bill, a representative of the Government, the Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo presented a comment. Each member of the Riigikogu could ask up to two oral questions of her. Thereafter, the debate began where Rain Epler, Leo Kunnas, Helle-Moonika Helme, Jaak Valge, Kert Kingo, Rene Kokk and Arvo Aller from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Andrei Korobeinik from the Estonian Centre Party Group and Riina Solman from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor. The debate where all members of the Riigikogu can take the floor will continue at Wednesday’s sitting. After the end of the debate, a final vote on the Bill will be held.

The deliberation of the Bill on Amendments to the Medicinal Products Act and the Health Services Organisation Act (beginner’s allowances) (293 SE) and the Bill on Amendments to the Health Insurance Act (294 SE) which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government before the second reading was also deferred to the agenda for tomorrow’s sitting due to the end of the working hours of the sitting.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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

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

Link uudisele: The deliberation of a Bill which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government was adjourned in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu heard ministers’ replies to three interpellations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Minister of Justice replied that VAT was a general consumption tax for gaining state budget revenue. “The most important thing is to understand in what security environment we are living today and one important goal when raising VAT by two percentage points is definitely thereby also to raise national defence spending, which will amount to the order of 1.3 billion euro in 2024,” he explained.

When referring to national defence spending, Laanet pointed out that the situation in Ukraine and the security situation across our borders had not changed in any way. “We here in Estonia are facing an exactly similar threat of Russia attacking Estonia as well at some point. It has not disappeared anywhere. So, consequently, it is definitely our duty together with all taxpayers to increase the capacity of our national defence,” the Minister of Justice added.

As another reason, the minister pointed out that, since the state budget was out of balance, one of the aims of the relevant amendment was also to move towards balance through increasing state revenue. “The third additional purpose might be to reduce VAT derogations to make the tax system more efficient and to treat taxpayers more equally,” he said in conclusion.

The Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet also replied to the interpellation concerning gender neutrality (No. 302).

The Minister of Culture Heidy Purga replied to the interpellation concerning transparency of the legislative process (No. 151).

The interpellations concerning the rise in VAT (No. 371) and income tax (No. 374) were not deliberated because of the absence of the interpellator.

At the request of the initiators, the interpellations concerning deceitful policy (No. 80, No. 86), the establishment of a car tax (No. 249, No. 359, No. 364) and transparency of the legislative process (No. 282) were excluded from the agenda for today’s sitting.

The initiators withdrew the interpellations concerning the impact of the green transition in the area of administration of the Ministry of Culture (No. 135) and the rise in VAT (No. 233, No. 236) and the integral impact of the tax package (No. 143).

The sitting ended at 4.44 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
Eleen Lindmaa
+372 631 6456, +372 5551 4433
eleen.lindmaa@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard ministers’ replies to three interpellations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee supports lowering of voting age for the Riigikogu and European Parliament elections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Member of the European Union Affairs Committee Kristo Enn Vaga underlined that the EU initiatives had a long-term impact, so it was reasonable that young people, whom the adopted decisions would influence, should also have a say in shaping them. “Greater involvement of young people in EU decision-making through lowering the voting age will give us a more innovative and bold Union in the future, which will, for example, promote economic growth through sustainable development and greater digitalisation,” he said.

Vaga noted that lowering the voting age for the European Parliament elections was much easier, as it only required amending an Act, while lowering the voting age for the Riigikogu elections required changing the Constitution.

According to Estonia’s position, it is important to support the civic participation of all young people and to protect their rights at local, national and EU level. Giving the young people aged 16 and 17 the right to take part in the Riigikogu and European Parliament elections would help strengthen the role of young people in decision-making process.

Estonia also considers it important to systematically involve young people from different backgrounds in policy-making. It is also pointed out in Estonia’s position that when assessing the impact of new EU initiatives, young people’s interest groups should be considered and efforts should be made to ensure that the instruments of better policy-making take into account the widest possible target group, including young people with fewer opportunities.

The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve Estonia’s positions as amended for the meeting of the council of education and youth ministers in Brussels on Thursday. The Committee added to the positions the principle that a consensus will be sought at national level to allow young people to elect members of the European Parliament in addition to members of the Riigikogu.

Head of EU coordination at the Ministry of Education and Research Ülle Kurvits participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

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

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee supports lowering of voting age for the Riigikogu and European Parliament elections

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee thinks adoption of digital euro is necessary, but after thorough preparations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At its today’s sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed Estonia’s positions on the proposals to adopt the digital euro and agreed with the Government that before the adoption of the digital euro, political and legal risks as well as fair division of costs had to be thoroughly analysed.

Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta thinks that the digital euro initiative is necessary and also meets the expectations of young people for a modern payment instrument. She pointed out that in the history of money, the adoption of the digital euro was in the same way a natural change that raised many questions as the transfer from gold coins to metal coins, whose value was guaranteed by means other than the value of material.

“More thorough preparation is essential, but we as the national parliament gave a mandate to proceed with the developing of the digital euro. In the current complicated security situation, the adoption of the digital euro is important for the people of Estonia in preparing for crises. Cash is not safe in every situation and ATMs do not work during power cuts. The digital euro can be transferred from a person’s bank account to the digital euro app on their phone, like storing cash, and it can be used offline, or when there is no internet or card payments in shops are not working,” the Chair of the Committee said.

Pakosta emphasised that in its positions, Estonia pointed out among other things that before the adoption of the digital euro, it was necessary to properly analyse its impact on banks, financial stability and consumer rights. “At present, consumers do not pay for the use of cash, and this must also remain so with digital cash, or the digital euro. Of course, much better security must be ensured than there is today for the use of cash,” she stated.

In the opinion of the member of the Committee Aleksei Jevgrafov, it is important that the digital euro will make people’s life simpler. “It is inconvenient for the consumer that different e-shops require using all kinds of different payment services, from Google Pay to Paypal and Revolut. The digital euro will solve this problem because digital euro account can be used instead of different wallets and the customer will not be asked a service charge for that,” he said. “It is also very welcome that there will be no need to go looking for cash when card payments do not function.”

It was pointed out at the sitting that the introduction of digital cash and the accompanying public infrastructure would contribute to the obligation of the Bank of Estonia to provide an essential service. According to the plan, the use of the new payment instrument will be mandatory for banks and free of charge for consumers. It was also mentioned at the sitting that digital euro payments can be pre-recorded on the phone and that payments of up to 500 or 1000 euro would not be traceable. A limit will be set to large transactions to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism. A balance will be sought between safety and privacy when setting the rules.

It was also noted at the sitting that it was intended to use the digital euro initially in the euro area countries, but in the longer term it could also be possible to use it outside the European Union, and other currencies could be kept in the digital wallet alongside the euro. The adoption of the digital euro is expected to take place between 2027 and 2030.

Adviser of the Financial Services Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance Kadri Martin and Head of the Payment and Settlement Systems Department of the Bank of Estonia Rainer Olt participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

The European Union Affairs Committee, in line with the opinion of the Finance Committee, decided to approve the Government’s positions on the proposals of the European Commission on single currency, including the proposal on the digital euro.

For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191

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

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee thinks adoption of digital euro is necessary, but after thorough preparations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar and Finnish leaders of state discussed the situation on the border with Russia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meetings that Estonia and Finland were very good neighbours, partners and allies who cooperate closely in many areas. Hussar underlined that it was necessary to continue active cooperation between the Governments and the Parliaments of both countries, and this was particularly important in the fields of defence and security, considering the tense geopolitical situation.

Hussar specifically emphasised the importance of operational information exchange and cooperation on issues related to the protection of critical underwater infrastructure and the refugee pressure from Russia. “Estonia is carefully monitoring the current developments on the eastern border and we are prepared for a situation where refugee pressure on our border should also increase significantly. We are cooperating closely with Finland in this issue and we are ready to support Finland if necessary,” he said.

Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the possibilities of supporting Ukraine together were also discussed at the meetings. “We must continue to work to bring to justice all those responsible for the crimes committed in Ukraine, including crime of aggression, and to establish for that a special tribunal with maximum international support. Russia must also compensate Ukraine for the damage caused by its actions,” Hussar noted, and pointed out that a Bill creating the possibility to use Russia’s assets frozen under international sanctions to compensate the war damages caused to Ukraine had passed the first reading in the Riigikogu this week.

Hussar also underlined that in order to win the war, Ukraine continued to need every possible support and assistance from us. “The countries of the West must not let their attention be diverted. Among other things, we must continue providing military assistance to Ukraine and support them on their path to the EU and NATO membership,” he said.

Today, Hussar also met with Chairs of parliamentary groups and committees as well as the leaders of the Finland-Estonia parliamentary friendship group. Together with the Speaker of Finnish Parliament, he opened the festive seminar dedicated to the 100th anniversary of teaching the Estonian language and culture in Finland, held at the University of Helsinki. Tonight he attends the reception on the occasion of announcing the programme of the European Capital of Culture 2024 Tartu at the Embassy of Estonia.

Tomorrow, Hussar will attend the cultural festival Martin Markkinat at the Cable Factory culture centre in Helsinki. It is the largest event promoting the Estonian culture in Finland. This year the event, organised by Tuglas Seura, will focus on Tartu and South Estonia, the European Capital of Culture 2024.

The President of the Riigikogu is accompanied on the visit by Chair Anti Poolamets and Deputy Chair Kadri Tali of the Estonia-Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group.

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 and Finnish leaders of state discussed the situation on the border with Russia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar goes on an official visit to Finland

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

On Friday, Hussar will meet with Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho, Chairs of parliamentary groups and committees as well as the leaders of the Finland-Estonia parliamentary friendship group. Hussar will also have meetings with President of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

On Friday at noon, Hussar and Halla-aho will open a festive seminar dedicated to the 100th anniversary of teaching the Estonian language and culture in Finland. The seminar will be held at the University of Helsinki. The seminar “One Hundred Years Between Finland and Estonia” will be live streamed online from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

On Saturday, Hussar will attend the cultural festival Martin Markkinat at the Cable Factory culture centre in Helsinki. It is the largest event promoting the Estonian culture in Finland. Besides cultural programme, the two-day festival will introduce Estonia as travel destination; handicrafts, design and food will be sold, and discussions on the Estonian society and culture will be held. This year the event, organised by Tuglas Seura, will focus on Tartu and South Estonia, the European Capital of Culture 2024.

The President of the Riigikogu will be accompanied on the visit by Chair Anti Poolamets and Deputy Chair Kadri Tali of the Estonia-Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar goes on an official visit to Finland

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee calls on the Foreign Ministry not to close two consulates general in the USA

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Today, the Foreign Affairs Committee took the position that in order to ensure adequate diplomatic capacity in the US, it is necessary to continue the work of the consulates general in addition to the embassy in Washington. “The Foreign Affairs Committee finds that the decision to reduce the diplomatic presence in the US is in conflict with the Estonian Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030, which includes among its goals the development of comprehensive and deepened cooperation with the US, making consular services easily accessible to Estonians living abroad and greater involvement of Estonians living abroad in the promotion of the foreign economy in order to ensure the best possible protection of Estonia’s interests abroad. To achieve all these objectives, it is important to have a broad diplomatic presence in the United States, and this task is fulfilled by the Consulates General in New York and San Francisco,” the Committee noted.

The Foreign Affairs Committee took its position after two sittings where the closure of consulates general was discussed. Last week, the Committee heard the justifications of Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna, and this week, the Committee met with the representatives of the Estonian American National Council who presented their proposal for the continuation of the work of the consulates. Representatives of the Estonians living in the United States believe that the closing of consulates would be harmful to Estonia, reducing Estonia’s presence and influence in business, cultural and international diplomacy. They highlighted the relevance of the Consulate General in New York in the continuity of Estonian diplomatic representation and the significance of the Consulate General in San Francisco for the promotion of business diplomacy. They also explained that diplomatic missions had an important role in preserving Estonian identity and culture and promoting Estonia in the US.

After discussions, the Committee came to the conclusion that the arguments of cost savings or reorganisation of work do not outweigh the damage to the interests of the Republic of Estonia that would result from the loss of two bases at an important ally. “The Committee also considers it regrettable that the opinions and proposals of the organisations representing Estonians in the United States of America were not taken into account when the decision to close the consulates general was made,” the Foreign Affairs Committee pointed out.

The members of the Committee underlined that Estonia’s diplomatic representation, especially considering the current highly tense situation in Europe and around the world, had a very important role in defending our security interests. “Instead of downsizing, we need extending and strengthening of diplomatic representation so that Estonia’s positions could be consistently explained to our most important allies. Therefore, the funding of diplomacy as the frontline of security policy and deterrence must be guaranteed in the long term,” the Commission said in its position, and made a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revoke the decision to close the consulates general.

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

Link uudisele: The Foreign Affairs Committee calls on the Foreign Ministry not to close two consulates general in the USA

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly focuses Russia’s war of aggression and civil defence

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The session will begin on Thursday, 23 November, with a ceremony where the Baltic Assembly prizes will be presented. This year, the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts was awarded to Estonian artist Peeter Laurits for his outstanding and diverse artistic work and the project ‘Biotoopia’. The Prize in Literature was awarded to Lithuanian translator and poet Antanas A. Jonynas for his collection of sonnets “Naujieji sonetai”. The Prize in Science was awarded to Latvian musicologist Arnolds Laimonis Klotiņš for his monographs on music and creative life in post-war Stalinist Latvia and the Latvian music life in exile in Europe during the same period. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at the Concert Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

On Friday, 24 November, the meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly and the speakers of the national parliaments of the Baltic States will take place in the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia). After that, at 10 a.m., the 42nd Session of the BA will be opened. At the opening of the Session, the speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States will deliver speeches. The Session will be chaired by the President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov and Vice-Presidents of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas and Jānis Vucāns.

The Baltic Council, the cooperation assembly of the Governments and the parliaments of the Baltic States, will also meet on Friday. The 29th Baltic Council will be chaired by Chairman of the Co-operation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna and President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš will also deliver speeches.

On Friday at 1 p.m., a press conference will be held in the White Hall of the Riigikogu, where it will be possible to pose questions to the heads of the delegations and foreign ministers of the Baltic States. Immediately before the press conference, the Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA and the Minister of Foreign Affairs will sign the Joint Statement of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers.

The BA session will continue in the afternoon, and the impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on economy as well as effective civil defence will be discussed. At the end of the session, the new President of the Baltic Assembly will be elected, and the Resolution and the Final Documents of the 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly will be signed. After the end of the Session, Estonia will hand over the presidency of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers to Lithuania.

The Baltic Assembly (Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania) is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States which discusses issues of mutual interest. In 2023, the presidency of the Baltic Assembly was held by Estonia; in 2024, Lithuania will hold the presidency. The Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA is Timo Suslov the Deputy Head is Enn Eesmaa. The members of the delegation are Arvo Aller, Karmen Joller, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Priit Lomp, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali.

Members of the press are welcome to cover all these events. Please notify us of your wish to participate at maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee.

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

Link uudisele: The 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly focuses Russia’s war of aggression and civil defence

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairs of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees speak at a panel in Cambridge

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The panel will be hosted by the Centre for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge and discuss how the relations between the United Kingdom and the Baltic States could develop in order to meet the evolving geopolitical challenges in Europe. The event will start at 17:00 and last around 1.5 hours. Video recording of the panel will be available on the Centre’s website.

Besides Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Rihards Kols and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Žygimantas Pavilionis will speak at the panel. Former UK Home Secretary and Co-founder of the Baltic Geopolitics Programme at Cambridge Charles Clarke will chair the panel.

From Cambridge, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the three Baltic States will go to the Aurora Forum in held Chichester, where the issues relating to economy and security will be discussed with the participation of the representatives of the United Kingdom and the Nordic and Baltic countries. From the Riigikogu, Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu and member of the Committee Raimond Kaljulaid will also attend the Forum.

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

Link uudisele: Chairs of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees speak at a panel in Cambridge

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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