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Helena-Reet Ennet

Helena-Reet Ennet
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The National Defence Committee hopes Sweden to become NATO member as soon as possible

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalev Stoicescu said that the defence committees of both countries agreed that Russia posed a long-term threat to NATO and the allies had to be prepared for that. The meeting focused on the plans of the countries for strengthening their defence capability.

Stoicescu pointed out that next year Estonia’s defence budget would exceed three per cent of GDP for the first time and reach to around 3.2 per cent of GDP from the current 2.85 per cent. According to him, it is important that, in addition to the large defence investments which account for more than half of the defence budget, the state also contributes to civil protection. Sweden is also planning to increase its defence budget significantly, bringing defence spending to two per cent of GDP next year.

Stoicescu stated that Estonia would also continue providing Ukraine the military assistance it needed to win the war of aggression launched by Russia as soon as possible. “It is crucial to continue working on the introduction of new sanctions as well as on a more effective implementation of existing ones, in order to stop all trade with Russia. There is no other way to stop Russia than by weakening that country to the point where they are unable to continue the war,” he said.

At the meeting, the members of the National Defence Committee said they very much looked forward to Sweden becoming a member of NATO as soon as possible, like Finland. By today, 29 states out of 31 have approved Sweden’s accession. “Our views and understanding on the challenges of security and defence are the same, and Sweden will be a very good ally for us in NATO,” Stoicescu said.

NATO’s Regional Defence Plans that were endorsed at the Vilnius Summit and need to be jointly exercised and filled with real military capabilities by the allies were also discussed at the meeting. The members of the Committees also underlined the need to urgently increase the capabilities of European defence industries in order to ensure adequate supplies of arms and ammunition.

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: The National Defence Committee hopes Sweden to become NATO member as soon as possible

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Economic Affairs Committee resent the Bill on terrorist web content to the plenary

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The previous composition of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) sent a similar Bill (742 SE) to the first reading in last December, but it was dropped from the proceedings due to the termination of the mandate of the composition. Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee Priit Lomp said that the legislative proceedings on the Bill must be completed because there was no room for terrorist incitements in the legal space of democracies. “We must improve the cooperation of the state with web hosts to make the public space of us all more secure. After the passing of this Act, the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority as well as the Estonian Internal Security Service will also be able to detect radicalisation attempts and provocations against Estonia more efficiently,” he explained.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee Lauri Laats added that not only must it be safe to live in Estonia, but the people’s freedom of speech had to be protected as well and web hosts should not be forced to conduct surveillance activities. “People must be able to express their views even when they do not agree with the opinion of the majority. Therefore, it is necessary to be very careful in defining the terrorist content, and at the same time sufficiently strict so that Estonia would be protected from provocations coming from any regime,” Laats pointed out.

The Bill on Amendments to the Information Society Services Act and the Penal Code will bring the Estonian national law into conformity with the European Union Regulation that has the main aim of improving cooperation with web content mediators, incl. web companies, NGOs, associations and news portals to enhance the removal of terrorist content online. The content of a post is considered terrorist if it incites or glorifies the commission of terrorist acts. It also includes promoting the activities of groups or the dissemination of detailed instructions to commit terrorist acts. The regulation only applies to public websites. Web hosting service providers are obliged to remove terrorist content or block access to it. The rules have been agreed upon by the European Union, and they are supported by hosting service providers, like Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Cooperation between states is organised by the Europol.

The Penal Code will also be amended to ensure that persons can be prosecuted not only for incitements made in public but also, for example, in moderated forums and groups.

The Economic Affairs Committee decided to send the Bill on Amendments to the Information Society Services Act and the Penal Code (224 SE) to the first reading at the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu on 18 October with the motion to conclude the first reading.

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

Link uudisele: The Economic Affairs Committee resent the Bill on terrorist web content to the plenary

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee condemns Hamas attacks against Israel

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

“I strongly condemn the extensive attacks by the terrorist organisation Hamas against the State of Israel and its people over more than twenty-four hours. The number of the dead and wounded as well as the people taken hostage is growing continuously. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of all victims and to the people of Israel,” he said.

Mihkelson said he was concerned about the expansion of terrorist activity in the region and expressed support to Israel who has the right to defend itself against brutal attacks on land, on sea and in the air. He called on nations and international organisations to confront the attempts of terrorist regimes to create instability and chaos in the whole Middle East region, and underlined that terrorist organisations and the regimes supporting them must be held to account.

“I invite the international community to coordinate support to Israel, and at the same time not to lose attention on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” Mihkelson said, and added that Estonia was following closely any further developments.

In case of emergency, the citizens of Estonia staying in Israel can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs helpline +372 5301 9999.

Statement of the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu

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

Link uudisele: Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee condemns Hamas attacks against Israel

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Statement of the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

„The Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) strongly and unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its people.

We express our deepest condolences to the close ones of all victims, to the people and the Government of Israel as well as to our colleagues in the Knesset.

It is the right and the duty of the State of Israel to defend itself. Terrorist group Hamas and the regimes that support and assist it must get the punishment they deserve.

We are convinced that Israel will win the war that broke out as a result of an unjustified and criminal attack against its cities and civilian population.

Our thoughts are with the people of Israel and we express our respect for the defenders of Israel.“

Members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group are Eerik-Niiles Kross, Yoko Alender, Vadim Belobrovtsev, Meelis Kiili, Andrei Korobeinik, Lauri Laats, Jürgen Ligi, Riina Solman, Aivar Sõerd, Peeter Tali, Vilja Toomast and Kristo Enn Vaga.

For more information, please contact:
Eerik-Niiles Kross
eerik-niiles.kross@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Statement of the Estonia-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Peeter Laurits wins the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Biotopia is a series of conferences and art events initiated by Laurits in 2021 with the aim of creating symbiotic contacts between scientists and artists. Head of the Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov welcomed the results of the competition. “Peeter Laurits is not only a leading photographic artist and a highly versatile creative personality, but also a remarkable social thinker whose activities have made a major contribution to the introduction of new paradigms and the expansion of creative expression,” Suslov said.

The Baltic Assembly Prize in Literature was awarded to Lithuanian translator and poet Antanas A. Jonynas for his collection of poems “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.

Estonia nominated Rein Raud for the BA Prize in Literature for his novel “The Sun Script” (“Päikesekiri”). Professor of Media Studies of the University of Tartu Andra Siibak, whose research work during the last five years has addressed the opportunities and risks surrounding the use of new digital technologies, was nominated for the BA Prize in Science.

The Baltic Assembly Prize consists of a monetary prize, a certificate and a statuette, which are presented every year at the Baltic Assembly session. This year, the Prize Awarding Ceremony will be held during the 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly, on 23 November in Tallinn, Estonia.

The members of the Joint Jury of the BA Prizes were artists and experts from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (Photo: Baltic Assembly): Karl Martin Sinijärv, Elin Kard, Anu Noorma, Donata Mitaitė, Petras Skirmantas, Valdemaras Razumas, Ilze Jansone, Orests Silabriedis and Valdis Muktupāvels.

The Baltic Assembly has been awarding the Prizes in literature, the arts and science since 1994. The aim of the prizes is to promote the development of these fields in the Baltic States.

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

Link uudisele: Peeter Laurits wins the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Parliamentary Assembly gathers for its annual session in Copenhagen

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

 “Keeping in mind the future of NATO, the most important topic for us is naturally the comprehensive strengthening of NATO’s collective defence, taking into account the threat Russia poses for its neighbouring countries. Developing of defence industries is an important component of that. We will of course also underline the need for rapid ratification of Sweden’s membership, which is essential for ensuring the security of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as the importance of continuing military assistance to Ukraine,” Head of the Estonian Delegation Raimond Kaljulaid said.

Kaljulaid emphasised that support for Ukraine must not diminish, and therefore, we together with our allies had to increase giving military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He added that we also had to support Ukraine in the post-war reconstruction of the state as well as on its path to the European Union and NATO.

Within the framework of the Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Copenhagen, the Estonian delegation to the NATO PA plans to meet with the delegations of Denmark and Germany, and to have a meeting of the heads of delegations of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8). 

Besides Head of the Estonian Delegation to the NATO PA Raimond Kaljulaid, members of the delegation Urmas Reinsalu, Marko Mihkelson, Meelis Kiili and Jüri Ratas also attend the Annual Session of the NATO PA. 

Before the Plenary Sitting of the NATO PA, discussions will be held in the committees of the Assembly on Saturday and Sunday.

Kaljulaid is a member of the Defence and Security Committee, Reinsalu is a member of the Committee on Democracy and Security, Mihkelson is a member of the Political Committee, Kiili is a member of the Science and Technology Committee and Ratas is a member of the Economics and Security Committee.

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

 

Link uudisele: NATO Parliamentary Assembly gathers for its annual session in Copenhagen

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar to Latvian Speaker: We also have to pay attention to Tartu-Riga rail connection

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting in the Riigikogu, the Speakers stated that Estonia and Latvia had very much in common, and cooperation between the two countries was also becoming increasingly closer. Hussar pointed out that the joint procurement for medium-range air defence systems was an excellent example of cooperation in the field of security. “Reaching an agreement on this joint procurement shows that we can reach an agreement on everything between Estonia and Latvia,” he said.

According to Hussar, the largest joint project of the two countries is the construction of Rail Baltic, but it is also necessary to think about the rail connection between Tartu and Riga through the twin town Valga-Valka. “People living near the border go to work across the border, and aligning the mobility issues, digital solutions and school networks between the two countries would help unlock the region’s huge potential,” Hussar noted.

The Latvian Speaker agreed to that, and added that mobility, including ensuring military mobility, was also essential to ensure security in the region. Mieriņa said that cooperation in the digitalisation of state services would continue as well – for example, in February, the common e-prescriptions system should be in place in Estonia and Latvia. She also underlined the need to support teaching of Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian both in the border regions and in general, in the context of termination of Russian-language education. She added that it was absolutely right to learn big languages instead of Russian, but learning of small languages should also be supported.

During her visit to Estonia, Mieriņa also met with the Prime Minister and the President of Estonia, and visited the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

Photos (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

 

Link uudisele: Hussar to Latvian Speaker: We also have to pay attention to Tartu-Riga rail connection

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Helena-Reet: Estella Elisheva’s conservatory plans and our mother-daughter moments

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – In September school started again. We went to Ülemiste center with Estella Elisheva to find clothes and other things for school and then we had lunch in CHI. Estella Elisheva (17) lives also this year during the week on school days in MUBA school dormitory and thus these mother-daughter moments are of great value to us.

Now on Friday when she came home she wanted to watch TV with me but I was so tired and I said I can’t. Allan had been at home ill during the past week and I myself have not been feeling well either. Estella’s eyes went watery and she said that there used to be times when we hugged and watched TV together all the time but now I only laugh together with Allan and do everything only together with Allan. I was touched by this comment. How can she think so, I do love her so much! We immediately made a plan that on Saturday we will hug all day. I watched TV together with Estella and Ivanka for half of the day, then we played cards together (Allan, me and Estella) and chatted about all the things in the world.

Estella is so efficient that sometimes I wonder where that comes from. Let’s say, I give this honour to Margus big time. I am everything but academic and hard-headed. The Finnish joke applies to me so well “Äiti haluisi, että minusta tulisi tuomari tai juristi, mutta minusta tuli juomari ja turisti!” (mother would have wanted me to become a judge or a lawyer, but I became a drunk and a tourist!). Hahaa..

But continuing with Estella… In the summer she found herself a job. This time she offered to work in a kindergarten (she said that working with children will benefit her in the future). By the way, she took the job like I would recommend everyone to do (if anybody asked me..icccc): think about what you like, what you are good at, and where you would like to be and then offer to work with those people, don’t wait for the “right” job offer, don’t stand in the application line. Estella is a perfect example of how to take control in life. Every spare moment she practises the violin, works out and listens to English language podcasts. Estella is such a big fan of audio books that she bought herself from her own money the yearly subscription to Scribd. Although she still has three more years at MUBA school, she already looks around to find a conservatory for future studies. (Oh how easy it is to be a good mother when you have such a wonderful child!) 🙂

Her current interests lie here / she has selected four music colleges:

*University of music and performing arts Vienna (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien). Austria is the mecca of classical music and the school is famous for its classical music program and esteemed professors.

*The royal conservatory of Madrid (Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid). The royal conservatory of Madrid is among Spain’s most prestigious music colleges and offers high level violin studies.

*Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, America. Curtis is a really prestigious small private college that focuses on individual studies and top notch music education. By the way, it offers full scholarships to students.

*The Juilliard School in New York, America. Juillard is among the world’s best known music and dance colleges and it has a reputation as one of the highest level music institutions in the world.

What can I say.. set high goals and you will reach high goals! ???

That’s all for this time! Hugs!



Hussar is meeting the new Speaker of Latvian parliament Daiga Mieriņa

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The two colleagues are meeting today at 10.15 in the Riigikogu, followed by a formal lunch.

“The cooperation between Estonia and Latvia is close, as befits neighbours, and there is a multitude of fields of cooperation. We are both involved in strategically important regional projects such as Rail Baltic, but also recognise the importance of continuing to support Ukraine together every way we can,” Hussar said before the meeting.

The parties plan to discuss regional cooperation in the field of energy and the construction of Rail Baltic, supporting Ukraine in the EU and NATO accession and in rebuilding the country, anti-Russian sanctions and holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, security in the Baltic region, and cooperation between the Baltic parliaments.

Daiga Mieriņa became the Speaker of the Saeima on 20 September as the candidate of the government coalition party Union of Greens and Farmers. She previously worked as the Head of the Chair of the Public Administration and Local Government Committee of the Saeima. Before that, she was the Head of the Carnikava and Ādaži local government.

Mieriņa is also scheduled to meet Estonia’s Prime Minister and President, and will visit the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar is meeting the new Speaker of Latvian parliament Daiga Mieriņa

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Helena-Reet: In Grand Rose SPA and at Saaremaa Food festival with Ivanka and Allan

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet –  In September we went to Saaremaa after a hundred years. The children go to Saaremaa often, but I hadn’t been there for like five-six years, if not more. Allan had to go check the servers in Saaremaa airport and we decided that I and Ivanka will join him on his trip to Saaremaa and we will remain there for a longer time.

On Friday morning (September 8th) we started off from home so that by 10 o’clock we arrived in Kuressaare. I went shopping with Ivanka (we shopped until lunch in Auri center and the shops in the city center). A positive surprise was Saaremaa Department store’s food world, it had been made really stylish and beautiful. At lunchtime we went to the hotel. We had booked the Grand Rose SPA hotel (142 euros for three people), which also included the SPA visit and breakfast. So the three of us spent the evening indulging in the SPA and the next day we shortly visited the Saaremaa Food festival. By lunchtime we were already on the barge from Kuivastu to Virtsu and in the afternoon we were back home.

Ah yes… PS! The water samples taken from Kuressaare water supply system still show contamination with E. coli and other coli-like bacteria and thus the Estonian Health Board does not recommend using tap water for drinking before boiling it. Though we only drank bottled water, we still used tap water in the hotel to brush our teeth. For quite some time I was afraid that maybe we caught the coli bacteria but since now it’s already been a while since our Saaremaa trip it seems as if we are safe.



See also:

PICTURES from Saaremaa! Kuressaare (old town, town hall, market place, castle park, bishop castle, …) December 24th 2018

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