Today, President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns and Vice-Presidents of the BA Aadu Must and Andrius Kupčinskas signed a statement regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on behalf of the Assembly.
“On this morning of 24 February 2022, we, the members of the Baltic Assembly, are appalled at the reality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Considering the gross violation of the independence of Ukraine and international law, the Baltic Assembly:
firmly condemns the Russian Federation’s military invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of Belarus in carrying out the attacks;
calls urgently for the Russian Federation to immediately stop the attacks on an independent state that is strongly supported by the European Union and NATO and end any further provocations against Ukraine;
reiterates the full support and solidarity to Ukraine and its people, and the commitment to use all the diplomatic and political means in our power to ensure political, military and financial support for the security of Ukraine;
urges the international community, including the European Union, NATO and other organisations, to actively condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and call for immediate termination of Russia’s attempts to destabilise the security and peace in Europe;
stresses the co-liability of parliamentarians who voted for Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine and allowing Russian troops to carry out military attacks in Ukraine;
concludes that the parliamentarians of the Baltic States have to stand firm against the provocations by the Russian Federation and work with other international organisations to put stop to the unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and the whole European democratic society.”
F-35 fighter jets, sent to the Baltic region by the U.S. Government in response to Russian Federation’s aggression towards Ukraine, arrived at Ämari air base, Estonia.
“This morning’s large-scale attack towards Ukraine by the armed forces of Russian Federation has brought active and extensive military action to Europe. This aggression confirms that intelligence released by the United States was at top level and NATO’s plan to strengthen the Baltic Sea Region with additional forces is extremely necessary and appreciated, “said Lieutenant General Martin Herem, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces. Lieutenant General Herem added that since NATO sees the Baltics and Poland as a single area of operations, the decision by the United States will have an impact on the Baltic and Polish region as a whole.
“United States´ decision from this week to strengthen Allied presence in Estonia with its most modern aircraft shows the US readiness to defend its Allies,” Minister of Defense of Estonia, Kalle Laanet said. “We saw the same quick response in 2014 when the United States was the first to bring its fighter aircraft to Ämari Air Base during the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine,” Laanet added.
“We are facing a dynamic environment, and the deployment of F-35s to NATO’s eastern flank for a period of time enhances our defensive posture and amplifies the Alliance’s interoperability,” said General Jeff Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Force in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander.
The United States has decided to step up deterrence in the Baltic and Polish area by sending fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, AH-64 assault helicopters and 800 members strong unit to the Baltic Sea region.
The F-35 stealth fighters that arrived in Estonia, are the most expensive weapon system in human history and can perform the functions of a fighter jet, a reconnaissance aircraft and a tactical bomber. As a fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35’s advantages in the battlefield are its survivability and situational awareness, backed by stealth technology, sensors and multi-layered data communications.
The Social Affairs Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia strongly condemn the unprovoked Russia’s massive invasion of democratic Ukraine.
In these dark hours, we stand united with Ukraine and its people and encourage all the European Union Ministers responsible for social affairs to join our efforts to ensure the humanitarian support to the Ukrainian people.
We underline that the Baltic States are doing all in their power to activate needed human and financial resources to be ready to accept the Ukrainian citizens and to provide them with the necessary assistance, including food, accommodation and psychological support.
We invite to encourage civil society together with international NGO’s to strengthen humanitarian aid for Ukrainian people. All international NGO’s (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Order of Malta Relief Organisation, Caritas, Save the Children International, The Global FoodBanking Network) are our commited partners who can provide assistance for people in need in Ukraine.
Let’s encourage our people to support these organisations and Ukrainian people.
On the Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia, a flag raising ceremony was held in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea, Tallinn. President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas said in his speech at the ceremony that unity and solidarity were as important today as during the first years of our Republic.
Ratas said that today, in the early hours of morning, Russia had started a full-scale military attack against Ukraine, and the Government of the Republic of Estonia had decided to start consultations with our NATO allies on the basis of Article 4. “I condemn the totally unjustified aggression against free and peaceful Ukraine. War will bring along much suffering and human victims. It will have an impact on global security. Today, we all are with the country and people of Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers,” Ratas said. “Our response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is a resounding NO. This is a savage attack against the foundations of European security and our shared democratic values.” Ratas added that the unity of the European Union and NATO, their mutual cooperation and support to Ukraine were stronger than ever.
The President of the Riigikogu emphasised that, on the Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia, we feel a deep sense of togetherness with each other. He expressed hope that we would feel this unity every day of our lives. Ratas pointed out that the threat of war in Europe, the long-winded health care crisis and economic worries made us work even harder, care for each other, and seek cooperation. He called everybody to build up Estonia so that the love for homeland would grow in the hearts of all people of Estonia. “The all-round support of the state must also reach all Estonian people and every Estonian family. This is the only way to keep our beloved Estonia standing on a solid foundation,” he said.
Ratas also noted that the flag of Estonia was a symbol of freedom, peace, and independence, and on 27 June this year we would celebrate the 100th anniversary of the day when the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia granted the blue-black-and-white flag the status of the national flag.
Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said the words of blessing at the ceremony. He said that the blue-black-white flag flew on the top of the Tall Hermann Tower for all people of Estonia, over all of us. “Blue, black and white are and will remain the colours that unite us all. This flag has never been raised to conquer or to commit violence against anybody under these colours,” Viilma pointed out. He added that, throughout history, the flag of Estonia had been a symbol of hope.
Maarja Mõts, winner of Voldemar Panso Prize and student of the Drama School of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, read out the Estonian Declaration of Independence.
The flag-raising ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, President Kersti Kaljulaid, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu Hanno Pevkur and Martin Helme and members of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and members of the Government, as well as representatives of constitutional institutions and the diplomatic corps, the Estonian Flag Association and the leadership of the Defence Forces and the Defence League.
The flag guards of the academic associations, the Defence Forces and the Defence League, patriotic organisations and schools participated the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden. The choirs of the Estonian Male Choir Association and the Tallinn Police Orchestra performed patriotic songs.
Today, the President of the Riigikogu will also participate in the laying of wreaths at the Victory Monument to the War of Independence on the Freedom Square, Tallinn, and attend the festive ecumenical divine service in the St. Mary’s Cathedral at Toompea. President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu Hanno Pevkur and Martin Helme will also attend the parade of the Defence Forces on the Victory Square, Tallinn.
President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and Vice-President of the Riigikogu Martin Helme will deliver speeches at the celebration of the 104th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in the St. George’s Night Park, Tallinn, at 3 p.m.
At today’s additional sitting, the Riigikogu passed the statement in support of the people of Ukraine and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state.
Text of the statement:
“The Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) strongly condemns the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, its sending of troops to Ukraine and its illegal recognition of the occupied regions.
The Riigikogu condemns the violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations by the Russian Federation. By threatening to use force, the Russian Federation is brutally violating the sovereignty of Ukraine and undermining its territorial integrity by using force.
The Riigikogu condemns the activities of the Russian Federation that are in breach of all the principles of international relations established by the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.
The Riigikogu underlines that, according to the Nuremberg Principles, the planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances are crimes against peace. The judgment of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg states that to initiate a war of aggression is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.
The Riigikogu condemns the provocations in East Ukraine and the spreading of lies in the global media space by the Russian Federation.
The Riigikogu considers it important that the countries of the world support Ukrainian economy and decisively increase military assistance, as Ukraine is a victim of unprovoked aggression by the Russian Federation.
The Riigikogu calls on the member states to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate state of the European Union and a roadmap to membership in NATO.
The Riigikogu calls on the governments and parliaments of all countries to explicitly condemn the aggression by the Russian Federation and to support an immediate implementation of extensive sanctions against the aggressor state.
The Riigikogu calls on the relevant institutions of the European Union to develop measures that would make it impossible to broadcast the Russian Federation media channels spreading war propaganda and national hatred on the territory of the Union.
The Riigikogu calls on international organisations to initiate identification, investigation and prosecution of the war crimes and the perpetrators of the war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in its aggression against Ukraine since 2014.
The Riigikogu expresses firm support to the Ukrainian people as well as to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state.”
During the debate, Raivo Tamm took the floor on behalf of the Faction Isamaa, Enn Eesmaa on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Lauri Läänemets on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction, Eerik-Niiles Kross on behalf of the Reform Party Faction and Henn Põlluaas on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction.
72 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Statement of the Riigikogu “On the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” (535 AE), submitted by 86 members of the Riigikogu.
The Riigikogu passed an Act on conducting the mass valuation of land in 2022.
The amendments introduced with the Act on Amendments to the Land Valuation Act, the Land Tax Act and Other Acts (406 SE), initiated by the Government, update the criteria for calculating the value of land and bring the land tax into conformity with the principles of the market value of land. The amendments do not concern the current tax exemption on the land under homes.
The Act makes changes to the principles of mass valuation of land. In the future, the Land Board will carry out mass valuation mainly on the basis of the data contained in national databases. In the future, the value zones that are used by local governments to calculate the value of each particular plot of land will no longer be determined upon mass valuation of land. Instead, the taxable value of each plot of land will be determined as a result of valuation.
The last mass valuation of land in Estonia took place in 2001, and in nearly 20 years, the value of land has increased by seven times on the average. The taxable value obtained as a result of mass valuation of land will be the basis for determining land tax, payments for tolerating utility networks and use fee under different usufruct contracts.
According to the Act, the next mass valuation of land will take place in 2022, and after that, valuations will be carried out every four years. The results of the mass valuation of land will be implemented from 2024.
The Act will reduce the maximum land tax rates that local governments can impose. For example, the maximum tax rate will be 0.5 per cent of the taxable value of the land instead of the current 2.5 per cent on residential land and forest land, and 1 per cent on commercial land. The lowering of the maximum tax rates will prevent land tax from becoming too high. In order to ensure a smooth transition to the new price level for the taxpayer, a 10 per cent limit will be imposed on the annual increase in the land tax amount.
The tax exemption on the land under homes will be fully extended on the lands where one of the intended purposes is residential land. For example, if there are business premises on the ground floor of an apartment building and the intended purpose of the plot of land is therefore partly commercial land, the apartment owners residing in the same building cannot enjoy tax exemption to the full extent.
The Act will also provide that, in the future, changes to land tax rates will have to be established at least six months before the beginning of the taxation year. At present, land tax rates are established by 1 February of the taxation year.
As the value of land has increased after the last mass valuation, the payments for tolerating utility networks will also increase by 3.5 to 4 times on the average once the new taxable values of land will be implemented. The payment for tolerating will change gradually during three years, in 2024–2026, each year by one third of the difference between the new and the present payment for tolerating.
One of the amendments provided by the Act concerns the methodology of mass valuation of land. In addition, the provision concerning the entry into force of the Act will be amended, according to which the Act will enter into force on 15 March.
72 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour (9 against) of passing the Act.
The Riigikogu heard the replies to three interpellations.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning higher education funding (No 112), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Helir-Valdor Seeder, Mihhail Lotman, Heiki Hepner, Priit Sibul, Andres Metsoja, Üllar Saaremäe, Urmas Reinsalu, Sven Sester, Aivar Kokk, and Tarmo Kruusimäe.
The interpellators pointed out that a significant part of university funding depended on the management agreements signed with the state. These agreements should be signed during the first quarter of this year, but the decisions on higher education funding in the upcoming years would be made later in the year during the debate on the state budget strategy.
The interpellators asked why the government had done nothing to avoid the situation where uncertainty rules as the agreements expire.
Kallas explained that the management agreements set out the main obligations of the universities for the term of the agreement as well as the conditions for allocating funds from the state budget to meet these. The agreements for 2019–2021 obligated the Ministry to allocate activity support to the universities every calendar month in 2022 in the amount of one twelfth of the volume of activity support in the previous year, i.e. equal to the total volume of the previous year, until the 2022–2024 management agreements and the 2022 financial agreements are signed. “Universities can continue to fulfil their duties under the law with the funds allocated to them, but they have refused to assume additional duties without additional funds,” Kallas said.
Prime Minister emphasised the importance of higher education. Since 2013, with the exception of 2017, the activity support for higher education has grown from the previous year. While in 2017 the activity support for universities amounted to EUR 141.1 million, in 2022 it is EUR 165 million. This is complemented by additional targeted grants, for example to support regional studies, create extra student places in educational sciences and health care, and provide investment support.
Prime Minister promised that the government would take the options for increasing funding for higher education into account when proceeding the 2023–2026 budget strategy.
Kallas expressed the need to keep the spotlight on increasing higher education funding because without a high quality and sufficiently comprehensive higher education it is impossible to make our society more knowledge intensive. “In order to ensure the sustainability of higher education in Estonia, we need to continue the discussion on higher education funding with our sights on the longer perspective,” Prime Minister stressed.
She added that when considering the responsibility of the state and private individuals in covering the costs of higher education, we would need to take into account the impact of these choices on the access to higher education, motivation of students in enrolling into higher education, covering the labour needs in Estonia, as well as the personal rewards related to acquiring a higher education in the context of socio-cultural benefits. “I can personally confirm that we will keep the one percent of the GDP that is earmarked for research and development,” Kallas affirmed.
Prime Minister also replied to the interpellation concerning the Whistleblower Protection Bill (No. 114).
Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna replied to the interpellation concerning elimination of basic school final exams threshold (No. 118).
During the open microphone, Kalle Grünthal (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Jaak Juske (Social Democratic Party), Riina Sikkut (Social Democratic Party) and Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.
Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas held a video meeting with Speaker of the Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland) Matti Vanhanen. They spoke about the complicated security situation in Europe, which has been caused by Russia’s aggressive actions.
Ratas and Vanhanen agreed that the speech made by the President of Russia yesterday was contrary to international law, and that such a statement was bound to be followed by sanctions.
Ratas briefed his Finnish counterpart about his recent visit to Ukraine and said that Ukraine was very grateful for political, economic, and military support.
“The situation is very tense at the borders of Ukraine, and we need to give our full support to that country. Estonia is committed to continue to support Ukraine in all these fields,” Ratas emphasised. “They need international attention and support now more than ever.”
Ratas pointed out that President of Estonia Alar Karis was on a visit to Kyiv today to express support to Ukraine. Ratas added that the Riigikogu had adopted a resolution supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ratas underlined that it was very important to be united on the swift response in case of Russia’s further aggression. “The European Union and NATO have been expressing exemplary unity on this,” Ratas said, and expressed hope that this unity would become even stronger.
Ratas congratulated Vanhanen on his re-election and wished him strength and luck in leading the Parliament. He also congratulated Finland and the Finnish hockey team on their Olympic gold medal.
The bilateral good-neighbourly relations and cooperation between Estonia and Finland were also discussed at the video conference. Ratas and Vanhanen also exchanged information on the current situation with the spread of the coronavirus and the organisation of work of parliaments during the pandemic.
Photos(Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
At its today’s sitting, the Riigikogu decided to appoint Ivi Proosi as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia” (528 OE), submitted by the Finance Committee, provides for the appointment of Ivi Proos as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia. The draft Resolution was submitted because the mandate of Kaie Kerem, a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia who was a specialist in the field, terminated prematurely due to her death. On 18 January, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia made the proposal to the Finance Committee to appoint Ivi Proos as a member of the Supervisory Board.
The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia is the oversight body of the Bank of Estonia and it consists of a Chairman, representatives of the political groups of the Riigikogu and specialists of the field. The principle to govern the forming of the Supervisory Board is that each faction of the Riigikogu nominates one of its members and the Chairman of the Board nominates four specialists of the field. Under the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank) Act, the members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the Riigikogu at the proposal of the Finance Committee.
61 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Resolution and 13 voted against.
One Billpassed the second reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Road Transport Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (490 SE), initiated by the Government, will bring the Road Transport Act, the Working Conditions of Employees Posted to Estonia Act and other Acts into conformity with the directives and directly applicable regulations of the European Union road package. The aim of the road package is to ensure adequate working conditions and social protection for drivers and the conditions for fair competition for road transport operators.
In international road transport for hire or reward, motor vehicles and combinations of vehicles with a permissible laden mass exceeding 2.5 tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes will also be subject to Community licence requirement. In order to obtain a licence, the carrier has to have, among other things, a transport manager who has completed the necessary training and is responsible for the road transport activities organised at the carrier.
For the transposition of the directive, it will be necessary to establish implementing provisions extending the requirements of the Posted Workers Directive to the road transport sector. Therefore, in the future, drivers engaged in road transport in other countries will have to be paid remuneration at least in the amount of the minimum remuneration in the country where the posting takes place, including overtime remuneration, etc. This will apply in cases when, by agreement of the parties, remuneration is paid in the minimum amount, and the minimum remuneration in the country where the posting takes place is higher than the minimum remuneration in the driver’s home country.
During the debate, Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Sven Sester (Isamaa) took the floor.
Two Bills were dropped from legislative proceedings
The Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (496 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa, provides for the VAT on gas, electricity and thermal energy to be reduced to nine per cent in order to thereby reduce the impact of the price hike on Estonian consumers and businesses.
During the debate, Aivar Kokk (Isamaa), Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party) and Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) took the floor.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 42 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 27 voted against. Thus, the motion was supported and the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act (498 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa, provides that, in the future, the previous municipal council will determine the salaries and compensations to be paid to rural municipality mayors and city mayors, salaried city government members and chairmen and deputy chairmen of municipal councils.
During the debate, Toomas Kivimägi (Reform Party) and Heiki Hepner (Isamaa) took the floor.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 53 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 17 voted against. Thus, the motion was supported and the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
The Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the European Parliament and the Parliaments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the United Kingdom made a Joint Statement on the unjustified Russian military build-up in and around Ukraine and in Belarus.
Statement:
We, the Chairs of our respective parliament’s Committees,
Following the ongoing Russian military build-up closely at the Russian-Ukrainian border, in the illegally annexed Crimea, as well as the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus,
Call on Russia to de-escalate the situation, withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s border and the territory of Belarus;
Recall that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners;
Urge Russia not to recognize the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities as it would be a blatant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;
Call on Belarus to ensure full transparency of the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus, “Union Resolve 2022”, concerning the strength and composition of military forces, primary weapon and military equipment systems and the timeline of return of forces to home basis;
Urge Russia and Belarus to ensure compliance of their political and military commitments with the principles of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).