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The Riigikogu adopted amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The explanatory memorandum of the Act states that Estonia stands for freedom of religion, and that everyone has the freedom to choose whether to follow a religion and which religion to follow. However, in addition to respecting freedom of religion, belief and association, the state must also take into account the challenges that threaten national security and the security of society.

According to the Act (570 SE) passed by the Riigikogu, the churches, congregations or monasteries operating in Estonia may not be guided in their activities by a person or association located in a foreign country and having significant influence, nor linked by statutes, contracts or other documents, or economically, to a religious association, spiritual centre, governing body or spiritual leader located in a foreign country, if they pose a threat to the security or constitutional or public order of the Estonian state. Such a threat may occur, among other things, when a spiritual centre, governing body, spiritual leader, person or association supports or has supported military aggression or has called for war, a terrorist crime or otherwise unlawful use of armed force or violence.

The Act also specifies who can serve as a minister of religion or be a member of the management board of a religious association in Estonia. A person who is not allowed to reside or stay in Estonia cannot be a minister of religion or a member of the management board of a religious association. In addition, the requirements for the statutes of a religious association are specified, and the possibility is created for leaving a church whose activities, statutes, or membership of the management board do not meet the established requirements. To do this, a congregation or a monastery has to adopt new statutes and to enter the amendments complying with the requirements into the register without the approval of the church’s governing body, as it may not be realistic to obtain such approval.

According to the Act, churches and congregations that need to bring their statutes, the membership of their management board, or their activities into line with the Act will have two months from the entry into force of the Act to do so.

60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the passage of the Act, and 13 were against it.

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

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu adopted amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar stressed the importance of defence and economic cooperation between Estonia and Poland

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Hussar acknowledged the excellent relations between Estonia and Poland and their close cooperation in various formats. He highlighted the common interests of the two countries in foreign and defence policy, including in ensuring European security and supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia, which continues its war of aggression.

Speaking of supporting Ukraine, Hussar underlined the need to increase pressure on Russia. “More pressure has to be exerted on Putin. The European Union must stand firm and continue with sanctions on Russia. We also need to work to start using Russia’s frozen assets to help Ukraine,” he said, and added that the European Union had more than EUR 200 billion worth of Russia’s frozen assets.

The economic cooperation between Estonia and Poland was acknowledged at the meeting, and it was considered important to continue with major infrastructure projects that are vital for the region, such as Via Baltica and Rail Baltic. The increasing of defence spending, the development of defence industries and combating hybrid threats from Russia were also discussed.

Further cooperation with the United States was also spoken about at the meeting. “The USA is an important ally for us, with whom we have had fruitful cooperation in many areas,” said Hussar, and added that the focus should be on how to maintain transatlantic cooperation.

Chairman of the Estonia-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu Ants Frosch and Deputy Chairman of the Group Kristo Enn Vaga participated in the meeting of the President of the Riigikogu with the President of Poland.

President Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda are on a state visit to Estonia at the invitation of President Alar Karis.

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 stressed the importance of defence and economic cooperation between Estonia and Poland

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu discussed issues relating to data protection

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta replied to the interpellation concerning Chinese intelligence access to Estonian residents’ data through apps and technology (No. 718), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Laats, Vladimir Arhipov, Vadim Belobrovtsev and Aleksei Jevgrafov.

The interpellators referred to the cyber security yearbook of the Information System Authority which said that Chinese intelligence could also easily access the personal data of Estonian residents using technology and applications made in China. This raises serious questions about Estonia’s cyber security and data protection.

The interpellators wanted to know what measures had been implemented in the country to reduce the collection of data on Estonian residents through Chinese technology and applications.

Pakosta explained that she could not quite claim that when we had Chinese technology or an application, then data on Estonian residents was always collected through it. “This could be stated unequivocally only after a corresponding investigation and court decision,” Pakosta said.

She noted that Estonia had also repeatedly appealed to the European Union to uniformly impose relevant import or sales bans that would be justified specifically for devices that were manufactured for the indirect purpose of acquiring, collecting, and analysing information about the activities of Estonian citizens, as well as other European Union citizens. Sometimes it is also possible to collect information, for example, about views.

“However, the legal framework in Estonia is nevertheless quite comprehensive. From 2022, we have a requirement in the Electronic Communications Act that a communications service provider must obtain consent from the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority for the hardware and software used in communications networks,” the minister emphasised. She added that perhaps the most important provision was that section 6 of the Cybersecurity Act imposed an obligation on many public sector institutions and businesses operating in critical areas to adhere to the principle of comprehensive protection. “This means that it is up to each institution and each company to identify the potential threats to its network and information system and to implement appropriate organisational and technical measures to protect the system. Among other things, devices that use illegal data harvesting or enable that must be avoided,” Pakosta explained.

She referred to the Cybersecurity Act which set out a number of obligations. The Estonian Information Security Standard has been developed to meet these obligations. This information security standard also imposes obligations on institutions and companies to assess the risks in both the hardware and software supply chains. The supply chain means that it is also necessary to monitor where purchases are made and whether these important risks have been mitigated at the various stages where a particular device is manufactured. “And of course these supply chain risks can be linked to the use of various Chinese technologies, equipment and applications,” the minister stated.

According to her, in summary it can be said that we have data protection regulations in place in the public sector and for businesses. But the question is rather how effectively we can implement these existing requirements. “The good news is that although we are all concerned here, Estonia is among the most successful countries in the world when it comes to cybersecurity in the public sector and private sector. So we have had a lot of things go right and well,” Pakosta noted.

However, she stated that, in the case of consumers who were private persons who should assess risks themselves and protect themselves from harmful activities that may be related to technological devices manufactured in unfriendly countries, their purchase or failure to secure them, that was more difficult from the state’s perspective.

Rain Epler, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart and Mart Helme took the floor during the open microphone.

Substitute member Peeter Ernits took his oath of office before the Riigikogu.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

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

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu discussed issues relating to data protection

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee: reporting of sustainability information should be voluntary

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

According to Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali, the European Union wants to significantly reduce the administrative burden of companies and has therefore presented in an accelerated procedure a proposal to postpone the sustainability reporting obligation by two years for companies that have not yet submitted their reports, and to make a number of simplifications during these two years to reduce the administrative burden.

“The European Commission really wants to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and that’s the reason for this turbo procedure to suspend sustainability reporting. Estonia’s long term plan is to make sustainability reporting voluntary for all companies,” Tali said. He expressed hope that Estonia would find allies in Europe who support this proposal. “If the obligation is retained despite our efforts, we would prefer to introduce reporting every five years, or as a minimum every three years, instead of the current annual obligation.”

The positions approved by the Committee also state that if these proposals are not supported, Estonia can accept a sustainability reporting obligation for companies with 1000 or more employees and sales revenues of more than EUR 50 million or a balance sheet total of more than EUR 25 million. This would mean a substantial increase in the thresholds compared to the current Directive.

The European Commission’s ambition is to reduce the administrative burden of businesses by at least 25%, and for small and medium-sized enterprises by at least 35%. The Commission’s proposals cover the areas of sustainable financial reporting, sustainability due diligence, EU taxonomy, the carbon cap adjustment mechanism and European investment programmes.

Estonia supports the European Commission’s proposal to postpone the entry into force of the reporting requirements by two years. Under the current directive, around 350 companies in Estonia are subject to sustainability reporting obligations. If the proposal for postponement is approved, the number of reporting companies in Estonia will be reduced by 90%, and in the future about 35 companies will be obliged to report. It was underlined at the sitting of the Committee that reporting must be simplified for all companies.

Representative of the Ministry of Finance said that the Ministry had started drafting a Bill so that, if the amendments were adopted in Europe, it would be possible to transpose the EU law quickly. The positions set out that the Bill has to be submitted by the end of May.

The positions of the Government regarding amendments to the directives on sustainability reporting and sustainability due diligence were presented by Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta and Head of Financial Information at the Ministry of Finance Rainer Osanik.

The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve the positions of the Government, taking also into account the opinions of the Legal Affairs Committee and the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

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: reporting of sustainability information should be voluntary

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson discusses security situation and cooperation with USA in Washington

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The main focus at the high-level meetings is on trans-Atlantic security and cooperation with the USA. “Europe is increasing its defence spending, strengthening its independent defence capability, and willingly assuming more responsibility in NATO; but while doing this, we want to maintain our strong allied relations with the USA. A strong US presence in Europe is crucial for trans-Atlantic security,” he said, adding that another aim was to demonstrate European unity in supporting Ukraine.

The parliamentarians of four countries are meeting with members of the US Congress, including the heads of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and of the European subcommittees of both chambers. They will also take part in meetings at the National Security Council and the Department of State, as well as in expert roundtables in leading think tanks.

In addition to Mihkelson, other participants include the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Polish Sejm Paweł Kowal, member of the National Defence and Armed Forces Committee of the French National Assembly Natalia Pouzyreff, and member of the Budestag, former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Norbert Röttgen.

The visit is organised by the Polish think tank Casimir Pulaski Foundation, which is the organising body of the highly respected Warsaw Security Forum.

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

Link uudisele: Mihkelson discusses security situation and cooperation with USA in Washington

Source: Parliament of Estonia

National parliaments will discuss social development and justice

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Member of the delegation of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Helmen Kütt will address the importance of reducing inequality in her speech, pointing out that this will help to prevent divisions and radicalisation. “Vulnerable groups are often exposed to the influence of unfriendly forces that deliberately use marginalised groups to undermine stability within communities. We see this in Russia’s playbook, and we know that creating instability is only the first step towards their goal. Therefore, it is our duty to minimise the inequalities by offering adequate support to all in need.”

Kütt will speak at the General Debate, where topics such as eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, fostering social inclusion, and increasing the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making will be covered. The representatives of Estonia will also participate in the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians that celebrates its 40th anniversary, and in the work of the Twelve Plus Group, which is made up of the European countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Estonia also chairs the Finno-Ugric cooperation group.

All the statutory bodies of the IPU will convene at the Assembly, including the IPU Governing Council, the Standing Committees, the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, the Committee on Middle East Questions, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, and the Task Force on the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine. The Assembly will feature workshops on climate action, parliamentary diplomacy, and social norms impacting women’s health.

The Standing Committees will present reports on their work to the Assembly. The plenary assembly will adopt the resolutions of two standing committees: the resolution of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security on the role of parliaments in advancing a two-state solution in Palestine, and the resolution of the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development on parliamentary strategies to mitigate the long-lasting impact of conflicts, including armed conflicts, on sustainable development. The Assembly will also adopt the outcome document of the General Debate.

Hundreds of MPs from parliaments across the world will attend the Assembly. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) will hold its 150th Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5 to 9 April. Estonia is represented at the Assembly by Vice-Presidents of the Estonian Inter-Parliamentary Union Group Helle-Moonika Helme and Helmen Kütt.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union is the oldest and largest global organisation of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 and has 181 member states from the entire world. Belize is about to join the IPU as its 182nd member state. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940, and restored its membership after regaining its independence in 1991.

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

Link uudisele: National parliaments will discuss social development and justice

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar participated in the commemoration of the third anniversary of Bucha massacre in Ukraine

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Hussar recalled that three years ago, the photos of the town of Bucha that had been liberated from Russian invaders had shocked the whole world. “The Bucha massacre has become a symbol of the horrors of Russian aggression – a place where the greatest crime against humanity of the 21st century was committed,” he said.

On 31 March 2022, when Ukrainian forces liberated the small town of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, dozens of bodies of civilians tortured and killed by Russian invaders and mass graves with hundreds of victims were discovered. Hussar recalled that in April of that year, the Parliament of Estonia had been one of the first to declare the actions of the armed forces of the Russian Federation in the military aggression against Ukraine as a genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Hussar emphasised that Russia must be held accountable for the crime of aggression and war crimes committed in Ukraine, and that the next important step had to be initiating the process of establishing a special tribunal for the crime of aggression in the Council of Europe. He also pointed out that Russia must compensate the damages it had caused to Ukraine.

Hussar said that the last year Estonia had been the first country in Europe to pass the Act that enabled the use of the assets of persons in Russia that are frozen under international sanctions to compensate Ukraine for war damages. He noted that there were more than EUR 200 billion worth of frozen Russian assets in the European Union, which should now be used to help Ukraine.

“Putin’s objectives have not changed – he wants all of Ukraine, he wants to create a buffer zone behind Russia’s borders and ultimately he is trying to tear down the European security architecture. The outcome of this war is existential for Europe. Both Ukraine and Europe need a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that is based on international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Hussar underlined.

The commemoration ceremony was attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Speakers of the Parliaments of many European countries.

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 participated in the commemoration of the third anniversary of Bucha massacre in Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

European Speakers demand holding Russia to account in a Joint Statement

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Speakers declared that they stood in solidarity with Ukrainian people and honoured the memory of every victim of the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha and other cities and villages across Ukraine. “We stress that there is no justification for Russia’s actions on the European continent, which constitutes the crime of aggression,” they say.

The Speakers emphasized that accountability for Russia’s actions in Ukraine was essential. They expressed their full support to the efforts of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine. They noted the arrest warrants issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber of International Criminal Court for Russian high-ranking officials, and appealed to ICC States Parties to cooperate in good faith with the ICC. The Speakers also called for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine. “Such measures are essential to ensuring accountability and deterring future attempts to commit similar crimes,” they pointed out.

According to the Speakers, the barbaric actions of Russia on the territory of Ukraine have led to the suffering and deaths of thousands of civilians, the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children and the destruction of their homes and cities. “We call for a significant increase in humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine. Supporting Ukraine’s struggle must be recognized as a moral obligation for every nation, as well as for the European Union and NATO, until peace and security in Ukraine and Europe are fully restored,” they said in the Joint Statement.

The Speakers called on the authorities of EU Member States and NATO, and all nations that share the principles of freedom, human rights and the rule of law, to impose the strongest possible sanctions and measures that would force Russia to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. They also welcomed the efforts of all nations, in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, to use Russia’s frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine and compensating for the damage caused by the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Speakers underlined that despite Russia’s ongoing illegal, unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion, Ukraine had proved that it was a reliable partner. “We reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and sovereign right to determine its future and to participate in alliances of its choosing, free from external pressure or coercion. Russia can have no veto on European political and security architecture,” they said in their Joint Statement.

The Joint Statement was signed by the Speakers and the Heads of delegations of the Parliaments of Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament. The Speakers participated in the commemoration ceremony held today to mark the third anniversary of the Bucha massacre and the summit that followed it, at the invitation of Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Text of the Joint Statement in Estonian and in English

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: European Speakers demand holding Russia to account in a Joint Statement

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson is on a joint visit of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees to Moldova

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Mihkelson describes the joint visit as a confirmation of the dedication of Nordic and Baltic countries to give strong support to Moldova and its path towards becoming a Member State of the EU. Topics of the meetings include the foreign and security policy situation in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, but also Moldova’s challenges and opportunities for support in becoming an EU Member State. Moldova became the candidate country of the Union in 2022, and accession negotiations were opened last summer.

The Chairs are meeting the President of Moldova Maia Sandu, Vice-Presidents of the Parliament Doina Ghermani and Vlad Batrîncea, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration Ina Coșeru, and representatives of several other committees in Chișinău. The Chairs are also scheduled to meet representatives of civil society organisations. They also plan to visit the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, where they will meet members of the regional People’s Assembly and the Mayor of Comrat Serghei Anastasov.

Chairs from the Foreign Affairs Committees of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland are taking part in the visit.

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

Link uudisele: Mihkelson is on a joint visit of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees to Moldova

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairman of the National Defence Committee starts with meetings at the US Congress

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Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Stoicescu said that he wished to discuss both the state of transatlantic relations and supporting Ukraine at his meetings with members of the Congress and representatives of the administration and think tanks. “It is important to speak with our allies and to convince them that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine must end with a just and lasting peace, and in no other way,” he underlined.

US-Baltic security cooperation and the increasing of defence spending in NATO countries will be discussed at the meetings. Attacks on underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and other threats from Russia will also be spoken about. “Russia is a long-term threat and it is a reality we have to deal with,” Stoicescu said.

In Washington, Stoicescu will meet with several members of the House of Representatives, and participate in a round table discussion with the think tank the Atlantic Council in the Congress. He also plans to meet with Principal Director for Europe and NATO Policy Alton Buland in Pentagon.

The Chairman of the National Defence Committee will also attend the Baltic Advocacy Days organised by the Joint Baltic American National Committee, including a round table at the think tank the Hudson Institute within the framework of the event.

At the end of the week, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson will also travel to Washington. He will participate in a visit organised by the Polish think tank the Casimir Pulaski Foundation together with MPs from France, Germany and Poland.

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

Link uudisele: Chairman of the National Defence Committee starts with meetings at the US Congress

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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