At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill that is intended to create better preconditions for the use of civil resources in ensuring independent defence capability and in hosting allies, and that will comprehensively update the regulation of national defence duties.
The Bill on Amendments to the National Defence Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (417 SE), initiated by the Government, will clarify the imposition of the duty to grant use of items and the expropriation of items, and the relevant powers will be granted to the Defence Resources Agency and the Defence Forces or an agency of executive power authorised by the Government.
The current National Defence Duties Act will be repealed, and the issues relating to the duties will be set out in the National Defence Act.
In the course of the second reading, amendments were also made to the Bill. Among other things, amendments were made to the list specifying when the Government can establish the conditions for the payments from the state budget for the use of additional state funds. Mobilisation and demobilisation were included in the list besides increased defence readiness, state of emergency and state of war.
The deadline for entry into force was also changed. If the Act is passed, it will enter into force on 1 March.
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas is on an official visit to Ukraine. He is accompanied by Chair of Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Riigikogu Mati Raidma and Member of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu.
The visit will begin with a meeting with Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk.
After that, the President of the Riigikogu will give a speech at the digital development and digital services forum Diia Summit, where he will talk about the digitalisation of democratic societies through the example of Estonia.
In the afternoon, the Estonian delegation will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and commemorate the victims of Holodomor (Great Famine) in Ukraine, in whose memory the monument “Bitter Memory of Childhood” has been erected.
During the visit, the Estonian delegation will meet with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. They will also have a meeting with Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Ukraine Jarno Habicht and visit the incubator of technology start-ups Lift99.
On Wednesday, the Estonian delegation will visit the Administrative Border Line with Crimea to learn about the situation there. They will also go to the port city Kherson, and meet with Head of Kherson Regional Council Oleksandr Samoilenko and Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine Anton Korynevych.
The main topics discussed at the meetings will be the security policy situation, bilateral relations and Estonia’s support to Ukraine, relations with Russia, NATO and the European Union, as well as development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova spoke of strengthening the meaningful bilateral relations both at sectoral and parliamentary level.
According to Ratas, the relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan are excellent and friendly. “We have long traditions of cooperation in IT and education, but they could be more substantial and closer,” Ratas said.
Gafarova and Ratas both underlined the need to strengthen parliamentary relations, and exchange of experience as well as meaningful cooperation in different fields, from cooperation in education and cooperation between universities to economic and environmental connections and the strengthening of digital cooperation. The development of relations at the European Union level to ensure energy security was also considered important.
The Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan recalled that the relations between the two countries had been excellent already since the restoration of independence of both countries. April of this year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Azerbaijan.
Deputy Chairman of the Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group Mihhail Korb, who participated in the meeting, pointed out that there were around 2000 Azerbaijanis in Estonia, who were actively engaged in cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Deputy Chair of the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Helmen Kütt acknowledged the warm relations between the people and expressed hope that Estonia would be able share its experience in social and health care, like its achievements in e-Health.
Today and tomorrow, members of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) are on a visit to Switzerland to get an overview of the activities of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and to meet with the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian scientists working there.
Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly Aadu Must said that the CERN laboratory is one of the most prestigious centres for research work in the world, attracting the top experts in their field. “During our two-day visit, we and our Baltic colleagues will get an overview of the activities of the centre and discuss the current and future cooperation with the representatives of the CERN: We also plan to meet with the researchers of our three countries who work in Switzerland,” Must said.
Deputy Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA Sven Sester also participate in the visit.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova is on a visit to Estonia on the invitation of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas.
In the morning, the Speaker of the Azerbaijan Parliament will have a meeting with the President of the Riigikogu at Toompea and sign the Riigikogu guest book.
The meeting will also be attended by Deputy Chairman of the Estonia-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group and member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Mihhail Korb, Deputy Chair of the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Helmen Kütt, and Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski.
In the afternoon, Gafarova will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets, and have a meeting with President Alar Karis in Kadriorg.
Tomorrow, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson will take part in a round table on foreign and security policy at the Estonian Embassy in Moscow. He will give an overview of Estonia’s positions in the complicated international situation of today.
The round table will be attended by students of Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (MGIMO) as well as experts on foreign and security policy. “In the current highly dangerous security policy situation, it is important that our views are voiced also in direct communication in Moscow,” Mihkelson said.
Besides speaking at the round table, Mihkelson will also meet with Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defence Policy of Russia Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Board of the Memorial International Jan Raczynski and Head of the Memorial Human Rights Centre Alexander Cherkasov, as well as Director of Levada Centre Denis Volkov and the Ambassadors of the allied countries in Moscow. He will also have working lunch with Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky.
Agenda for the 4th Working Week (7 February 2022 – 10 February 2022) of the 7th Session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly
Monday, 7 February
1. Bill on Amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act and Other Acts (475 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Continuation of the second reading Report by Õnne Pillak, member of the Social Affairs Committee
2. Interpellation concerning Estonia’s efforts to support Ukraine and to enhance the presence of the allied forces in the Baltics (No. 100), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas, Anti Poolamets, Siim Pohlak, Kert Kingo, Kalle Grünthal, Rene Kokk, Ruuben Kaalep, Uno Kaskpeit, Martin Helme, Riho Breivel, Helle-Moonika Helme, Henn Põlluaas, Jaak Valge, Alar Laneman, Merry Aart, Mart Helme and Paul Puustusmaa on 13 December 2021 Reply by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister
3. Interpellation concerning military support to Ukraine (No. 105), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas, Jaak Valge, Merry Aart, Henn Põlluaas, Rene Kokk, Uno Kaskpeit, Siim Pohlak, Alar Laneman, Kalle Grünthal, Urmas Reitelmann, Ruuben Kaalep, Helle-Moonika Helme, Riho Breivel, Mart Helme and Peeter Ernits on 10 January 2022 Reply by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister
4. Interpellation concerning the definitive failure of the mission in Mali (No. 107), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Uno Kaskpeit, Rene Kokk, Helle-Moonika Helme, Riho Breivel, Ruuben Kaalep, Anti Poolamets, Peeter Ernits, Paul Puustusmaa, Jaak Valge, Kalle Grünthal, Leo Kunnas, Urmas Reitelmann, Mart Helme, Henn Põlluaas, Alar Laneman and Siim Pohlak on 12 January 2022 Reply by Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister
5. Interpellation concerning the preparedness to manage the further spread of COVID-19 infection (No. 96), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Juske, Eduard Odinets, Ivari Padar, Helmen Kütt and Riina Sikkut on 7 December 2021 Reply by Tanel Kiik, Minister of Health and Labour
Tuesday, 8 February
1. Bill on Amendments to the National Defence Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (417 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Second reading Report by Leo Kunnas, Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee
Wednesday, 9 February
1. Bill on Amendments to the State Pension Insurance Act and Other Acts (475 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Third reading
2. Overview of 2022 of the strategic developments in the area by Minister of Education and Research Report by Liina Kersna, Minister of Education and Research
3. Bill on Amendments to the Media Services Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (327 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic Second reading Report by Jaak Valge, Deputy Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee
4. Bill on Amendments to the Equal Treatment Act and the Churches and Congregations Act (519 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Signe Riisalo, Minister of Social Protection Report by Oudekki Loone, member of the Constitutional Committee
5. Bill on Amendments to the Police and Border Guard Service Act and Other Acts (harmonisation of special services) (508 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Kristian Jaani, Minister of the Interior Report by Heljo Pikhof, Deputy Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee
6. Bill on Amendments to the Act on the Accession to the Convention between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Austria on the Stepping Up of Cross-border Cooperation, particularly in Combating Terrorism, Cross-border Crime and Illegal Migration (509 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Kristian Jaani, Minister of the Interior Report by Urve Tiidus, member of the Legal Affairs Committee
7. Bill on Amendments to the Feed Act (499 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Urmas Kruuse, Minister of Rural Affairs Report by Merry Aart, Deputy Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee
8. Bill on Amendments to the Taxation Act (providing data on construction works) (506 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic First reading Report by Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Minister of Finance Report by Aivar Kokk, Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee
Thursday, 10 February
1. Deliberation of the matter of significant national importance “Implementation of the Estonian Civil Society Development Concept”, initiated by the Constitutional Committee Report by Kristian Jaani, Minister of the Interior Report by Kai Klandorf, Executive Director, Network of Estonian Nonprofit Organizations Report by Martin Villig, entrepreneur, co-founder of technology company Bolt Report by Toomas Kivimägi, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee
On Monday, 7 February, after all items on the agenda have been discussed, the time for unscheduled statements begins, to continue until no further requests for the floor are made, but no longer than until 12 midnight.
On Wednesday, 9 February, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., Question Time takes place.
Committees of the Baltic Assembly (BA) are meeting in Tallinn today and tomorrow to focus on economic and digital challenges in the Baltic region and to discuss ways to use the COVID-19 crisis to promote regional economic growth.
Member of the BA Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee Kalvi Kõva identified the COVID-19 crisis as the focal point of the Committee. “Although the crisis had serious impact on the Baltic economies, our economic growth never fully stopped. We have done better than many other regions in the euro area,” he said.
Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly Aadu Must said that another topic of the meeting would be the possible joint initiatives in the Baltic states to ensure rapid economic recovery after the COVID-19 crisis. “We will also be discussing whether the Baltic states should develop a common strategy for boosting our economy. Our goal is to use the lessons that we have learned or will learn from the crisis to enhance our economy and improve the wellbeing of our people,” Must explained.
Other topics include Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 in the Baltic states as well as joint activities in promoting digital and green transitions in the region, and developing joint energy infrastructure projects. The developments in the Rail Baltica project are also on the agenda of the meeting.
The BA Budget and Audit Committee is meeting today at 5 p.m. in Nordic Hotel Forum, and the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee is meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu.
Today, the Foreign Affairs Committee held a video meeting with the members of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine), confirming Estonia’s continuous support to Ukraine’s independence, democracy, and territorial integrity in the fight against Russia’s aggression.
The Chairman of the Committee Marko Mihkelson reaffirmed Estonia’s support to Ukraine, which would include pro-active efforts in diplomacy as well as tangible help in defending the country. Estonia’s planned weapons assistance to Ukraine was discussed more specifically.
The focus of the meeting was on geopolitical and security challenges and the validity of the international law. The participants emphasised that the strongest long-term guarantee for Ukraine’s freedom and independence would be accession to NATO and the EU. To this end, Ukraine needs the guidance of the specific road map that would lead them there.
The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Merezhko thanked Estonia for its support.
The parties highlighted the importance of cooperation among likeminded countries, and the need for awareness raising among the other allies. The parties also agreed on the importance of direct regular contacts between parliamentarians.
At its sitting today, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed Estonia’s sanctions policy towards Belarus with Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets and found that the sanctions policy has to be reviewed.
According to Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, the confusion surrounding Belarusian transit does not reflect well on Estonia and raises the question of whether the European Union has overlooked something in shaping of its sanctions policy.
Mihkelson said that this was not an issue that only concerned Estonia, as the European Union’s goal should be to formulate a sanctions policy that would really influence the Belarusian regime to release political prisoners, to implement the will of the Belarusian people by allowing free elections and to stop the constant threatening of neighbouring countries.
“This whole issue also has a much wider dimension, which relates to the overall security situation,” Mihkelson noted. “If we cannot even impose workable sanctions against Belarus, then what message does it send Russia?”
Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mihhail Lotman admitted that the Belarusian transit was not something mysterious, and it had been spoken about for months. “It presents us as hypocrites. Belarusian transit is not something we have to coordinate with, for example, with Portugal; this transit goes through Estonia, and it is our right and our duty to stop it. We are arguing with the Germans that Nord Stream 2 must not be allowed to go ahead, but we ourselves are letting both Belarusian and Russian goods through Estonia,” Lotman said.
Minister Liimets explained the Foreign Affairs Committee that the Government took the criticism seriously. According to the Minister, a complete discontinuation of economic relations with Belarus has not been declared, but measures have been sought to influence the regime and support civil society.
Newspaper Eesti Päevaleht reported that, despite the sanctions, the volume of Belarusian oil products that have entered Estonia has tripled in monetary value.