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

The Baltic Assembly sums up Lithuania’s presidency

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Today, the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly (BA) participates in the 40th Session of the Baltic Assembly and the 27th Baltic Council, where an overview of the achievements of Lithuania’s presidency is presented and the Resolution of the Session will be adopted. At the end of the session, Lithuania will pass the presidency on to Latvia, and the new President of the BA will be elected.

Head of the Estonian Delegation to the BA Aadu Must said that the Lithuanian presidency took place during complicated times when, besides the coronavirus problem that was already demanding lots of attention and work, it became necessary to face a hybrid attack overnight. “First Lithuania, and shortly afterwards Latvia as well became victims of an attack by Lukashenka’s regime, when their borders were literally flooded with people who had arrived from third countries at the connivance of the Belarusian authorities. We understand the effort dealing with it all has required from our neighbours, and it is all the more gratifying to note that Lithuania has not cut any corners in its presidency of the Baltic Assembly, and the work of the Committees and the Presidium has proceeded as planned. I would like to express great gratitude and recognition to Lithuania and to the President of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas,” Must said.

Deputy Head of the Estonian BA delegation Sven Sester highlighted energy as one of the important topics of the Assembly’s work. “From the point of view of security and also people’s daily lives, synchronising power networks with Europe and disconnecting them from Russia is becoming increasingly important. This is not easy, and should be done by 2025. Lithuania has done an excellent job in keeping that issue in focus during its presidency of the BA, and our three countries will certainly complete this major joint task without any problems. At today’s meetings, we will also discuss what the electricity trade in the Baltic States will be like after 2025,” Sester said.

President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas will also deliver a speech at the BA Session. He thinks that in complicated times, there is no place for managing on your own. In his opinion, it is time to recall again how we supported each other through difficult times, striving for freedom and ready to do our utmost for a common goal. Ratas said that our common important areas of cooperation were security, the digital transition and environmental protection, as well as fight against hybrid attacks.

At the 40th Session of the BA and the sitting of the 27th Baltic Council, the report of Lithuania’s presidency will be presented, cooperation in reopening the region will be discussed, and energy security and the role of the Baltic States in resolving security issues on the external borders of the EU will be spoken about. The Joint Statement of the Baltic Council will be signed, and the BA Resolution and the Final Document of the 40th Session will be adopted. At the Session, Lithuania will pass the presidency of the BA on to Latvia.

Today’s session of the Baltic Assembly is attended by Deputy Head of the Estonian delegation Sven Sester and members of the delegation Erki Savisaar, Helle-Moonika Helme, Andres Metsoja and Kalvi Kõva.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Two Estonian Air Force planes accidentally violated Finnish airspace

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Due to human error, two Estonian Air Force jet trainers L-39 turned to Finnish airspace south of Utö Island yesterday at 14.02 local time. Incident occurred over international waters, when planes took part in a training exercise with allied warship. The violation of the airspace lasted for less than a minute.

Estonian Air Force launched a safety investigation to determine the causes of the incident. The Estonian Ambassador in Finland reported an unfortunate incident to the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and confirmed that Estonia would take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Estonian Air Force routinely organizes training flights and joint exercises with Estonian and Allied units to support the exercises of the Defence Forces, to train joint terminal attack controllers, intercept controllers and Allied airmen who are securing Estonian airspace.

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Foreign Affairs Committee’s visit to the United Kingdom focuses on customs border issues and bilateral relations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) is on a visit to Belfast and London. The visit will last until Friday. At the meetings, the problems relating to Brexit and implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol as well as their possible solutions, and the issues of bilateral relations will be discussed. The members of the Foreign Affairs Committee will also examine the situation in the customs offices on the border of Northern Ireland.

“The United Kingdom is a key ally and partner for Estonia, and they have made a significant contribution to ensuring our security,” Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said. “Now, when Great Britain is no longer a member of the European Union, it is especially important to continue the earlier excellent cooperation and find ways for strengthening it. Let it be even closer partnership in business diplomacy, e-residency, cybersecurity, green issues or in other fields,” he added.

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee explained that the aim of the visit was to strengthen the cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, and the colleagues from the UK were expected to visit Estonia soon.

The Estonian delegation will start the visit in Belfast, where they will meet with the representatives of the Executive Office of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium and the civil society. They will also visit the customs offices of Northern Ireland.

On Wednesday, the visit will continue in London with meetings with Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat, Chair of the Defence Select Committee Tobias Ellwood and members of the committees. It is also planned to meet with the representatives of the Scotland House in London and Ambassador of the European Union to the United Kingdom João Vale de Almeida.

On Thursday, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with former Prime Minister Theresa May and representatives of think tanks. The visit will end with meeting with the Estonians living in London.

The delegation consists of Chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee Marko Mihkelson and members of the Committee Mailis Reps and Raivo Tamm. Vice-President of the Riigikogu Hanno Pevkur will join the delegation at meetings in London.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Jüri Ratas discussed energy security and digitalisation with his Czech counterpart

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The discussions at the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Miloš Vystrčil today focused on strengthening bilateral relations in the fields of energy and digitalisation. Economic cooperation, defence cooperation, green transition and energy security were also spoken about.  

Ratas said that the Czech Republic was a close partner and a like-minded ally for Estonia both in the European Union and in NATO. President of the Riigikogu thanked the Czech Republic for their contribution to NATO Baltic air policing. He recalled that in 2019, the Czech forces were present in Ämari Air Base, and expressed hope that they would return soon. “The cooperation between our countries has been long, this December we will celebrate the centenary of our diplomatic relations,” Ratas pointed out.

Energy security, green transition and the measures to counter the sudden rise of energy prices were discussed in greater detail at the meeting. Ratas emphasised that the rise of gas and electricity prices must not prevent the achievement of the green targets. According to him, Estonia’s positions regarding the green package “Fit for 55” are being drawn up. “The transition should be fair and not take place at the expense of people,” Ratas underlined, and added that the synchronisation of the Baltic energy networks with those of West Europe was also under way.  

“Estonia has formulated the target of climate neutrality by 2050, and decided that production of energy and oil from oil shale must end by 2040 at the latest,” Ratas said. “This will be a time for transformation in order to find new energy sources and to solve the social-economic issues as well. Estonia sees solar and wind energy as alternatives, and is ready also to consider taking into use of nuclear energy, because this is a potential alternative to fossil fuels.” Ratas admitted that it was definitely necessary to hold a debate on the adoption of nuclear energy because the issues relating to financing and also the emotions of people needed to be resolved.  

Both speakers acknowledged that there was still unused potential in bilateral relations, and agreed that the topics relating to energy and digitalisation would be dealt with further in the framework of parliamentary cooperation. According to the President of the Czech Senate, the interest of their entrepreneurs in cooperation is great.

Chairman of the Estonia-Czech Republic Parliamentary Friendship Group, member of the European Union Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee Aivar Sõerd also participated in the meeting. He highlighted the close and excellent parliamentary relations between the two countries. Speaking of climate neutrality, Sõerd remarked that achieving these targets would provide opportunities for innovation, and it would also be possible to apply for support from the Recovery Plan for Europe.

This morning, President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil opened the Czech-Estonian business forum at the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In his opening address, Ratas called on focusing on bilateral economic cooperation and to look for wider possibilities for cooperation in digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

Tomorrow, Miloš Vystrčil and the delegation accompanying him will visit e-Estonia Briefing Centre. After the visit to Estonia, the President of the Czech Senate will go on a visit to Lithuania.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar, Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

President of the Czech Senate is on a visit to Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Yesterday, President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Miloš Vystrčil and the delegation accompanying him arrived on a three-day visit to Estonia.

This morning, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and his Czech counterpart will open the Czech-Estonian business forum at the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Czech and Estonian companies from various industrial sectors participate in the forum.

After that, the President of the Czech Senate will have a meeting with President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas at Toompea. Chairman of the Estonia-Czech Republic Parliamentary Friendship Group, member of the European Union Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee Aivar Sõerd will participate in the meeting.

At noon, Miloš Vystrčil will meet with President Alar Karis in Kadriorg.

Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Andres Sutt and Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets will also have meetings with the President of the Czech Senate. On Tuesday, Miloš Vystrčil and the business delegation accompanying him will visit e-Estonia Briefing Centre. After the visit to Estonia, the President of the Czech Senate will go on a visit to Lithuania.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Next infantry group to rotate in Mali is ready for a foreign operation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

This week, more than two months long pre-operation training of the infantry platoon BKN-11 Estpla came to an end, in preparation for a service in Mali starting from December with a French unit serving as part of the Allied Battlegroup in Tapa.

“Training has given soldiers the opportunity to identify with the area of operation in Mali, which has given the whole unit a broader understanding of the challenges and expectations ahead. During the training, we have overcome our weaknesses and the final exercise went very well for us,” said First Lieutenant Mihkel Tamm, BKN-11 Estpla platoon commander.

The final exercise Sleipnir-11 was to practice the most common tasks and situations that await the unit in the area – base protection, conducting patrols and participating in the rapid reaction unit.

“The training of the mission team has been carried out by Scout Battalion’s soldiers and officers, who have extensive experience in missions abroad and have been training for a long time,” said next Barkhane’s contingent commander Major Rauno Vahimets, adding: “final exercise here does not end the training, in the deployment area the skills and knowledge will be constantly updated”.

The BKN-11 Estpla is an infantry platoon that will replace the BKN-10 Estpla currently serving in Mali, which began its service at the Gao military base in August this year. The main area of activity for the Estonian contingent located in Gao base on the Niger River in Mali is the urban environment.

The tasks of the Estonians in Mali are military defence and joint patrols with units of the French Defence Forces, on the basis and composition of which the Estonian contingent operates.

The French counter-insurgency operation Barkhane aims to support the fight against Islamic extremists in five Sahel countries (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad) and thus to contribute to the fight against illegal immigration and human trafficking towards Europe.

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Mihkelson at the meeting with the President of Moldova: We are with you

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting with President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu today, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson emphasised that, although at present the energy crisis was the most burning issue for the people of Moldova, the country as a whole needed to make smart choices in diversifying its sources of energy.

“Now is the time when Europe must show solidarity with Moldova and support the reform policy of its Western-minded government. Moldova has a historic opportunity to irreversibly take the course towards the European Union,” Mihkelson said.

The challenges faced by Moldova in its fight against corruption, in building up the rule of law and improving the welfare of its population, and on its way to integration with the European Union were discussed at the meeting.

Until tomorrow, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee participates in the joint visit of the Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Chișinău, Moldova. The Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees also had meetings with Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu and Deputy Speaker Mihail Popșoi, Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Kulminski, as well as with the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and the Chair and members of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Public Order. Tomorrow, the Chairs of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees will meet with Prime Minister of Moldova Natalia Gavrilița.

Photos of the meetings

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairman of the Riigikogu Foreign Affairs Committee and his Baltic counterparts visit Moldova

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson is on a joint visit of the Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Chișinău, Moldova. The visit will last until Friday.

“It is natural that we want stability and growth of welfare in Europe. Therefore, it is important that Moldova, too, would do well in a long-term perspective. The Eastern Partnership Summit will take place in December and we regard our visit as a preparation for this meeting,” Mihkelson said.

“We support Moldova in continuing its journey of European integration, developing the rule of law, fight against corruption, and keeping the course of reforms. During the visit, I and my Baltic colleagues hope to get a survey of how we could help Moldova in this,” Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee noted. “We will also discuss possibilities for cooperation, the latest internal policy developments in Moldova and the energy crisis,” he added.

Today, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will meet with Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova Mihail Popșoi, as well as with the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and European Integration Doina Gherman, and Lilian Carp, Chair of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Public Order and members of the Committee. Meetings with the representatives of the parliamentary friendship groups of the three countries are also planned.

At 11.35, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will give a press conference at the parliament building.

Tomorrow, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees of the Baltic States will meet with President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu as well as with the representatives of the European Business Association and the NGOs.

On Friday, the programme of the visit will continue with meetings with Prime Minister of Moldova Natalia Gavrilița and the representatives of international financial institutions.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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