ESTONIA

The European Union Affairs Committee approved Estonia’s positions on EU forest strategy with amendment

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) got an overview of the views of the Government of Estonia on the new European Union forest strategy for 2030 at its sitting today, and decided to support the positions in accordance with the opinion of the Environment Committee of the Riigikogu, with one amendment.

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Siim Kallas said that the topic of forestry was vital and the communication of the Commission for the new forest strategy was a very meaningful document that contained many issues where it was necessary to find a balance. “After hearing the positions and discussing them, the European Union Affairs Committee decided to support the positions of the Government, amending the first of them so that the climate and biodiversity objectives outlined in the strategy would be given more weight,” Kallas explained.

Deputy Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut thinks that changes in forestry are needed to ensure biodiversity, and Estonia’s current approach to forestry cannot be fitted within the framework of the strategy. “Bringing the growth of welfare to the whole Europe is the underlying precondition for the European Commission’s green transition package. It means additional jobs, innovation and economic growth, but smaller environmental footprint. Estonia has a competition advantage over those countries that do not have forests, because we already have a good instrument for removal of greenhouse gases,” Sikkut underlined. “Countries that are poor in forests have more serious concerns with reducing emissions: they have yet to start with large-scale planting of forests.”

The new forest strategy of the EU for 2030 aims to ensure healthy and resilient forests that increase biodiversity, contribute to achieving climate targets, improve the livelihoods of people and support circular economy and bioeconomy.

It was confirmed at the sitting that the EU forest strategy is in line with the EU biodiversity strategy. According to the Roadmap annexed to the strategy, at least 3 billion new trees have to be planted by 2030. Estonia’s positions set out that the foresting and tree-planting activities should be first of all implemented on damaged lands, like industrial or mining areas. Speaking of using wood of low value for energy production, Estonia’s positions point out that it should take place in accordance with the biomass sustainability criteria. Estonia’s positions also underline the importance of subsidiarity, so that each country could develop its forestry by taking into account the local circumstances. It was also mentioned at the sitting that the new version of the Estonian Forestry Development Plan would be ready this month.

The sitting of the Environment Committee was attended by Head of the Forest Department Meelis Seedre and Adviser of the Forest Department Rauno Reinberg from the Ministry of the Environment.

The Council of the European Union will adopt conclusions on the communication for forest strategy at the sitting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Monday. The strategy will form a basis for preparing draft legislation, which in its turn will be submitted to the Riigikogu for discussion.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Jüri Ratas discussed energy and security with the Hungarian Speaker 

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas met with the speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér. The two colleagues discussed topical foreign policy and security issues of the region, energy, and opportunities for further improving our close bilateral relations.

Discussing the Belarus hybrid crisis, the parties agreed that an immediate and efficient European Union level solution is a must. “It is not acceptable that third countries use migrants for their political aims, as is happening today in Belarus,” Ratas said. “The situation on the European Union external border – Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia – is not simply a migration crisis, but also a security threat and hybrid attack against the entire European Union.”

A lot of emphasis was placed on the excellent relations of the two countries. “Cultural relations between Estonia and Hungary are excellent. I’m sure the Finno-Ugric dimension is an important factor here,” Ratas said. Our defence cooperation is also outstanding, while our bilateral economic relations have room to grow. Ratas acknowledged Hungary’s contribution to Baltic security and thanked it for taking part in the NATO air policing mission.

The President of the Riigikogu then paid a visit to the President of Hungary János Áder, to discuss the results of the Glasgow Climate Conference and Estonia’s objectives in funding the Recovery Plan for Europe.

On the first day of the visit to Hungary, the President of the Riigikogu met with the Minister of Justice Judit Varga, discussing digitalisation and cyber security. The two also shared their experiences on topics around the COVID crisis and vaccination. Other topics included the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe and its possible outcomes. Both sides expressed concern over the events in Poland and on the EU border in Lithuania. 

At the meeting yesterday with the President of the Hungary-Estonia Friendship Group Attila Tilki, the focus was on cooperation between the parliamentary groups. At the meeting with the Honorary Consul András Bereczki, who is also the Head of the Chair of Finno-Ugric Languages at the Budapest Eötvös Loránd University, the talk was about teaching Estonian language and culture.

The Chairman of Estonia-Hungary Parliamentary Group Anti Poolamets was also present at the meetings. Still this year, our Parliamentary Group is planning to visit Hungary.  

Photos of the visit

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Estonia: Tallinn Airport opens 40 direct flights for winter

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – In the coming winter, it will be possible to travel from Estonia to Tallinn Airport’s all-time record 40 destinations. A survey conducted by pollster Kantar Emor in October revealed that 39 percent of the Estonian population assess the risk of coronavirus infection when traveling as low. Tallinn Airport calls everyone to get vaccinated for the upcoming winter holiday season.

The Emor survey also showed Estonians have a great desire to go on holiday. Out of the respondents, 32 percent would fly to the Mediterranean as soon as possible, and one in every four respondents is eager to visit a friend or relative living abroad.

Tallinn Airport’s winter schedule consists of 40 direct destinations, including Egypt and the Canaries and several European capital cities.

Commercial director Eero Pärgmäe said it is understandable that people are currently looking at travel with a wait-and-see attitude. At the same time, tickets have never been cheaper. “The winter flight season lasts until the end of March, so now is the best time to make plans for the new year and next spring. To make travel care-free and easier, I urge everyone to vaccinate themselves and travel responsibly,” Pärgmäe said.

He added that passenger numbers have improved due to vaccinations. “Vaccinated people have understood that travelling does not involve greater risk of infection than, for example, going to a shopping centre, restaurant or theatre. One must behave everywhere in a responsible manner. Also in different European countries, showing a vaccine certificate is an everyday routine and so it is much easier for vaccinated people to enjoy travelling,” the airport director said.

The full list of destinations is available on the airport’s homepage.

In October, more than 184,655 passengers passed Tallinn Airport, being the highest monthly number of passengers served since the beginning of the corona pandemic, making 58 percent of the pre-crisis level. Average seat occupancy on regular flights was 68 percent. Tallinn Airport is moving towards its goal to serve 1.2 million passengers by the end of 2021.

Source: NordenBladet.ee

President of the Riigikogu is visiting Hungary  

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas is on an official two-day visit to the Republic of Hungary. He is accompanied by the Chairman of the Estonia-Hungary Parliamentary Group Anti Poolamets.

First, the President of the Riigikogu will visit the honorary consulate of Estonia in the Eötvös Loránd University, where he will meet the Head of the Chair of Finno-Ugric Languages, Honorary Consul Andres Bereczki. This will be followed by meetings with the Hungarian Minister of Justice Judit Varga, and the Chairman of the Hungary-Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group Attila Tilki. The President of the Riigikogu will also pay a visit to the Urban Development Centre and hear about the Budapest Liget Project.

Tomorrow, Ratas will meet the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér and hear about the work of the parliament. The President of the Riigikogu will then pay a courtesy visit to the President of Hungary János Áder.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Estonian Government changes event capacity restrictions and vaccination doses

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet – The government on Thursday decided to change the spectator capacity restriction for public events starting next week, allowing indoor events to be organized for up to 1,000 participants, outdoor events can have 2,000 participants.

“Data from the Ministry of Culture shows that such major events are not scheduled to take place currently. The reason for this restriction is that is not reasonable to organize major events. Although we are in a downward trend, we are right on the edge,” Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reformierakond) announced at a press conference.

The government will also allow people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines to get booster doses after five months, because the efficacy of those two vaccines deteriorates faster in time.

Kallas added that the government also recommends family physicians issue sick leave permits for people home with someone infected with the coronavirus.

The prime minister said most Estonians are responsible and listen to recommendations. “Making things mandatory is complicated. Who monitors who lives with who? There are blended families. People have summer homes,” Kallas said.

The prime minister said all decisions are made with two goals in mind. “Number one: an open society. Number two: motivating people to get vaccinated. An order to stay in isolation would decrease motivation. Our vaccination rates are slowing down again,” Kallas said.

Minister of Health and Labor Tanel Kiik (Center) said people vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can receive a booster dose after six months, only people vaccinated with the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines can receive an additional dose five months after the initial vaccination process was completed.

He noted that infection indicators are in a downward trend and hospitalization numbers are also improving. “Estimates show that we will enter a downward trend for hospitalization in the coming weeks, which gives hospitals and the Estonian healthcare system an opportunity to avoid the decisions, which would have seen additional hospital beds created for coronavirus patients and the suspension of scheduled treatments,” Kiik said.

“We do not have anything to cheer for, the crisis is not over. There are waves stemming from the Delta variant across Europe,” the health minister said. “The Covid crisis is our main challenge, but we must also look to the future and protect public health. We have agreed to initiate a Public Health Act. We will define terms and principles, which will be referred to when organizing healthcare.”

Photo: Erik Peinar
Source: NordenBladet.ee

President of the Riigikogu expressed support to Poland in its fight against illegal immigration

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas held a video meeting with Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Elżbieta Witek today. Ratas expressed support for Poland in countering the hybrid attacks organised by the Belarusian regime on the external border of the European Union and NATO.

“We stand in solidarity with Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, we will continue to support them in the crisis situation and we will use all diplomatic tools to stop the attack,” Ratas said. 

Ratas assured that if Poland needed help or support, Estonia was ready to assist in every way. “Estonia is observing very closely the hybrid attack instigated by the Belarusian regime on the external border of the European Union and NATO,” Ratas noted.

“Unity and solidarity are the most important values today,” the President of the Riigikogu underlined. In his opinion, the Member States of the European Union have to find ways and means for protecting their external borders more effectively and for financing this better.

At the meeting, Marshal Witek gave an overview of the current situation on the Polish-Belarusian border and thanked the EU and NATO member states for their support. She said that many countries had offered every possible assistance to Poland. Witek considered it important that all countries of the region used the same language.

Yesterday, a Joint Statement was drafted on the initiative of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. This Statement will open for signature by the Chairs of the European Union Affairs Committees of the parliaments until Friday.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The agreement between Estonia and USA defence forces eases mutual support

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The ACSA Supplementary Agreement between Estonian Defence Forces and the United States Department of Defence, represented by the Defence Forces Logistics Agency (DLA Energy), entered into force today.

“This is an important agreement for both parties, as it will speed up and make easier, among other things, our support as a host country for American soldiers in Estonia,” said Brigadier General Enno Mõts, Estonian Defence Force Chief of Staff.

It is a supplementary agreement to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) signed in 2008, any reciprocal supply of any fuel, whether in peacetime or in wartime, international military operations, humanitarian missions, joint exercises and other agreements. The agreement is open-ended and is applicable both in Estonia and elsewhere in the world, which includes all the needs of military forces.

The United States, Great Britain, Germany and France are Estonia’s closest allies, which together with the Nordic countries have helped build the Estonian Defence Forces since the early 1990s. Cooperation in the United States includes many different categories such as training, military exercises, procurement, international operations and Baltic cooperation projects.

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Statement of the Chairs of Baltic and Polish Foreign Affairs Committees about the situation on Polish-Belarusian border

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia, Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, and Sejm of the Republic of Poland held a video meeting today afternoon to discuss the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border, and made a joint statement.

“We, Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia, Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, and Sejm of the Republic of Poland unequivocally condemn and oppose the triggering and escalation of a crisis on the Polish, Lithuanian and Latvian borders with Belarus, by Alexander Lukashenka’s regime. These borders are also the external borders of the European Union and NATO. This is an unprecedented phenomenon, organized top-down by Belarusian authorities to destabilise the situation in our countries and the European Union as a whole.

It is unacceptable to use people, citizens of third countries, as human shields, for cynical political games aimed at diverting the attention of the Belarusian society from illegally exercised power. Continuation of these activities will inevitably lead to a serious humanitarian crisis for which the authorities in Minsk will be held responsible. It is disturbing that Belarusian authorities are finding support for their actions in the disinformation campaign conducted by the Russian Federation.

We call on authorities of the European Union and all Member States to take immediate action to introduce new, serious, and broader sanctions against people and institutions contributing to this crisis.

We support the decision of the Polish authorities to temporarily close the Kuźnica Białostocka-Bruzgi border crossing to tackle illegal attempts to cross the border, with support from Belarusian services.

We call on all states and international institutions mandated to do so to continuously pressure Belarusian authorities to end the crisis as soon as possible.”

The statement has been signed by:
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia Marko Mihhelson
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Rihards Kols
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Žygimantas Pavilionis
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Marek Kuchciński

Source: Parliament of Estonia

A Bill amending the Traffic Act passed the second reading in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill that provides for the requirements for the technology and equipment used by toll service providers and sets out the rights and obligations of both service providers and users.

The Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act (414 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose into Estonian law the European Union directive that provides for making the payment of road fees within the European Union more convenient. At the same time, a regulation for cross-border information exchange for cases of failure to pay a road fee will be established. In Estonia, road toll is not collected through automated identification, but the directive needs to be transposed to the minimum mandatory extent, that is, in respect of the provisions concerning the right of European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) providers to register their activities in every EU Member State. Therefore, every Member State must provide, in accordance with the directive, for the requirements for the technology and equipment used, and set out the rights and obligations of both service providers and users.

Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

A Bill passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act (439 SE), initiated by the Government, will establish the basis for the implementation of the measure activity “Support for the development of new advisors” in the Estonian Rural Development Plan 2014–2020. At the same time, on the basis of the transitional regulation, several deadlines relating to the implementation of the measures of the Estonian Rural Development Plan will be postponed by two years.

A Bill was dropped from the proceedings

The Bill on Amendments to § 8¹ of the Political Parties Act (disclosure the lists of members of political parties) (416 SE), initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, was intended to put an end to the disclosure of the names of people who are members of political parties. The explanatory memorandum to the Bill pointed out that the disclosure of the names was not reasonable or justified because membership of a political party may affect a person’s prospects in the labour market.

Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.

The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 48 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 16 voted against. Thus, the motion was supported and the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.

Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the Bill on Amendments to the Preschool Child Care Institutions Act (415 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction and Member of the Riigikogu Raimond Kaljulaid, was postponed to tomorrow’s sitting. The aim of the Bill is to ensure a free nursery place to every child. According to the Bill, parents’ obligation to pay the nursery fee will be eliminated, and the relevant cost will remain to be borne by the state.

Before discussing the items on the agenda, members of the Riigikogu asked numerous questions about remote-participation sittings. Then the Riigikogu decided with 62 votes in favour and 23 against that plenary sittings would be held by remote attendance from 10 to 25 November. Members of the parliament will be able to attend plenary sittings both in the session hall and by electronic means.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu conducts proceedings on 27 Bills and draft Resolutions this working week

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At the beginning of the sitting, the new Minister of Culture Tiit Terik took the oath of office.

The Riigikogu approved its extensive agenda for this working week.

No deliberation of Bills or replies to interpellations have been scheduled for Monday’s sitting.

At Tuesday’s sitting, one Bill will be at the second reading: the Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act (414 SE).

Three Bills will be at the first reading: the Bill on Amendments to § 8¹ of the Political Parties Act (disclosure the lists of members of political parties) (416 SE), the Bill on Amendments to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Ac (439 SE) and the Bill on Amendments to the Preschool Child Care Institutions Act (415 SE).

At Wednesday’s sitting, two Bills will be at the third reading: the Bill on Amendments to the Commercial Code and the Accounting Act (digital solutions in company law) (394 SE) and the Bill on Amendments to the Law of Obligations Act and the Consumer Protection Act (transposition of the Digital Content Directive, the Sale of Goods Directive, and the Enforcement and Modernisation Directive) (404 SE).

Six Bills will be at the second reading: the Bill on the Approval of the Amendments to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail and to its Appendices (386 SE), the Bill on Amendments to the Building Code (395 SE), the Bill on Amendments to the Employment Contracts Act and the Taxation Act (403 SE), the Bill on Amendments to the Public Information Act (409 SE), the Bill on Amendments to the Covered Bonds Act and Other Acts (407 SE) and the he Bill on Amendments to the State Budget for 2021 Act (431 SE).

First reading – 14 Bills and draft Resolutions: the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Approval of the Consolidated Report of 2019 of the State (432 OE), the Bill on Amendments to the State Export Guarantees Ac (423 SE), e Bill on Amendments to the Consumer Protection Ac (424 SE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Composition of the United Kingdom’s Joint Expeditionary Force” (444 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique” (445 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the International Military Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’” (446 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mission in Iraq” (447 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Military Mission EUNAVFOR Med/Irini” (448 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Composition of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Readiness Units” (449 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Training Mission and the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali” (450 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Post-Conflict Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Syria” (451 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in France’s Military Operation Task Force Takuba in Mali and Niger (former name “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in France’s Military Operation Barkhane in Mali”) (452 OE), the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in Another International Military Operation Led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or its Member State, the European Union or the UN upon the First Contribution thereto” (453 OE) and the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon” (454 OE).

The agenda also includes the overview of the use and preservation of state assets in 2020-2021 by Auditor General Janar Holm.

No deliberation of Bills has been scheduled for Thursday’s sitting.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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