NordenBladet — The Act passed at today’s remote attendance sitting of the Riigikogu allows the Court en banc to be postponed for good reason and to be held partially or fully electronically.
Under the current Act, the Court en banc has been convened every year on the second Friday of February, without exceptions.
Under the Act on Amendments to the Courts Act (298 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee, in the Court en banc, voting and elections may be held by ballot paper, electronically, in written form or in any other manner provided for in the procedure of the Court en banc.
The amendments passed today also provide that the term of office of members of local government bodies who are judges elected by the Court en banc extends for as long as the following Court en banc appoints new members to replace them.
84 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act. The Act enters into force on 8 February.
A Bill passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act and the Road Transport Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (299 SE) will create a legal basis for checking the special systems of motor vehicles and their trailers. Considering the rapid technological development and the potential need to respond flexibly to the implementation of new technologies, the Bill will establish a general framework for checking special systems and for the bodies engaged in the checking. In particular, at present this concerns fuel tanks of the vehicles running on natural gas. The aim of the innovation is to ensure the safety of vehicles using compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas as fuel.
According to the plan, starting from 2021, vehicles that use natural gas will have to begin to undergo mandatory regular checks where the conformity of the fuel tanks of such vehicles will be checked.
Generally, the safety of vehicles is ensured through regular roadworthiness testing supplemented by the roadworthiness tests carried out by traffic supervision. However, the fuel tanks of the vehicles using natural gas are mostly covered or are situated at the roof of the vehicle, which means that their condition cannot be sufficiently assessed at roadworthiness testing. Besides, the inspection requires specialist knowledge, for example, the competence to assess micro-damages to fuel tank, which it is not expedient to expect from all roadworthiness testers. At the same time, in the future, roadworthiness testers will still have an obligation to verify the overall safety of the gas supply system, for example, that the system does not leak.
At present, the natural gas tanks of vehicles are mostly checked at dealerships whose employees have undergone relevant trainings and do the checking according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, which roadworthiness testers cannot always readily access.
NordenBladet — At today’s remote attendance sitting of the Riigikogu, the Bill on Amendments to the Courts Act passed the second reading. It allows for the Court en banc to be postponed for good reason and to be held partially or fully electronically.
Under the current Act, the Court en banc is convened every year on the second Friday of February, without exceptions.
The Bill on Amendments to the Courts Act (298 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee, will amend the Courts Act so that, in the Court en banc, voting and elections may be held by ballot paper, electronically, in written form or in any other manner provided for in the procedure of the Court en banc.
It will also provide that the term of office of members of local government bodies who are judges elected by the Court en banc will extend for as long as the following Court en banc appoints new members to replace them.
On the proposal of the Constitutional Committee, the final vote on the Bill will be held on 20 January.
On the proposals of the sectoral committees, it was decided to remove one item from the draft agenda for today’s sitting, and six items from the draft agenda for Wednesday’s sitting. Then the Riigikogu approved its agenda for this working week.
Under a resolution of the Board of the Riigikogu, the plenary sittings of this working week (18–21 January) will be held by remote attendance. It is possible for Members of the Riigikogu to participate in remote attendance sittings in the Riigikogu Session Hall or in their offices in the Riigikogu or at home.
NordenBladet — In their Joint Statement, the Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania call on the Russian authorities to release Alexei Navalny immediately and unconditionally, and ensure his safety.
“We, Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian parliaments, condemn the detention of Alexei Navalny by the Russian authorities, upon his return to Russia, in what is clear to be yet another attempt to silence the opposition and critical voices by the Russian authorities. The Russian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Mr Navalny and ensure his safety.
Russia is bound by international obligations to the principle of rule of law and the protection of civil rights, and detention of political opponents is against Russia’s international commitments and obligations, including those of Council of Europe. Mr Alexei Navalny was the victim of a despicable crime on Russian territory – the poisoning attempt, using a military-grade nerve agent from the “Novichok” group developed by Russia, a finding confirmed by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Instead of investigating these crimes, the Russian authorities have chosen to, yet again, deprive Alexei Navalny of his liberty for exercising his human right to free speech.
We reiterate the call to Russian authorities to open a criminal investigation into Navalny’s poisoning and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice in fair trial proceedings. We call on Russian authorities to immediately release Alexei Navalny and cease their campaign of political persecution and intimidation against critics of the regime.
Drawing the necessary conclusions from these facts, we call on our European partners and the parliamentary assembles (including PACE) to be swift and forceful in their condemnation of Russia’s undemocratic methods, and consider additional sanctions targeting those responsible for the unlawful detention of Mr Navalny.”
Full text of the Joint Statement by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Seimas of Lithuania Žygimantas Pavilionis and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima of Latvia Rihards Kols.
NordenBladet — The draft Resolution on holding a referendum on the issue of the definition of marriage was not supported at today’s sitting of the Riigikogu. 26 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Resolution and 49 were against.
The draft Resolution provided for submitting the question (other national issue): “Shall marriage remain a union between a man and a woman in Estonia?” to the referendum to be held on 18 April 2021.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu on holding a referendum on the issue of the definition of marriage, submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Faction Isamaa, passed its first reading in the Riigikogu on 14 December. Nearly 10,000 motions to amend the draft Resolution had been submitted by the deadline.
During the debate, Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party), Priit Sibul (Isamaa), Henn Põlluaas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Kalle Grünthal (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Eduard Odinets (Social Democratic Party), Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Heiki Hepner (Isamaa), Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa), Hanno Pevkur (Reform Party), Valdo Randpere (Reform Party), Imre Sooäär (Centre Party), Indrek Saar (Social Democratic Party), Siim Pohlak (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Mihhail Lotman (Isamaa), Riina Sikkut (Social Democratic Party), Raimond Kaljulaid, Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party) and Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) took the floor.
On behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Andrei Korobeinik moved to remove the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a Referendum on the Issue of the Definition of Marriage” (288 OE) from the agenda for today’s sitting. The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction disagreed with that, and therefore the item remained on the agenda.
At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu also rejected the protests that had been lodged concerning the proceedings on the draft Resolution on the referendum.
Because the Board of the Riigikogu had not reached a consensus at its meeting the day before and Vice-President Siim Kallas had held a dissenting opinion on the Resolutions of the Board, the plenary of the Riigikogu voted on two motions of the Board at today’s sitting. They concerned the protests that had been lodged by members of the Riigikogu in connection with the proceedings on the draft Resolution on the referendum in the Constitutional Committee, and issues relating to obstruction.
The plenary of the Riigikogu passed with 49 votes in favour and 48 against the Resolution of the Board of the Riigikogu that provided for a rejection in their entirety of the protests that had been lodged concerning the proceedings on the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a Referendum on the Issue of the Definition of Marriage” (288 OE). The Resolution notes that, considering the very broad right to self-regulation of the committees, the Constitutional Committee had acted within the framework of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act to ensure its ability to work.
The Resolution of the Board to regulate obstruction was not supported by the Riigikogu.
“The Board of the Riigikogu accepts obstruction as a means of the opposition in the parliament to demonstrate their disagreement with certain decisions of the majority of the parliament. However, blocking the work of the parliament must remain within the limits of dignity. Submitting thousands of motions to amend, a large part of which are unconstitutional, insulting and damaging to Estonia’s security and undermine Estonia’s international reputation does not serve the interests of democracy but lowers the Riigikogu’s reputation and discredits the functioning of the democracy as a whole. The Board of the Riigikogu disapproves of and condemns the submission of such motions and calls on members of parliament to refrain from submitting such motions in the future. Under the Constitution, the functioning of the parliament must be ensured in every situation and obstruction must not lead to blocking the daily legislative work of the Riigikogu.”
41 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of that Resolution of the Board of the Riigikogu and 45 were against. Thus, the motion was not supported.
NordenBladet — The President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas met the Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen via a video bridge today. The two speakers discussed managing the corona virus, bilateral parliamentary cooperation, and cooperation opportunities in the Baltic Sea region.
Both agreed that the Baltic states shared the same history and the same values. “We are each other’s closest partners,” Põlluaas said. “Working together rather than individually, we can achieve more on the international level as well. For example, when planning visits to our partners.”
Põlluaas highlighted the fully established cooperation between the speakers of Nordic and Baltic parliaments, who will be engaged in the ongoing dialogue on economy, security, as well as environmental protection. “Being in the same region, we share the same challenges in these fields,” Põlluaas said.
Both speakers outlined the COVID-19 situation and the rate of vaccinations in their countries. They also shared their experiences on the organisation of parliamentary work during the corona crisis, and compared remote sitting solutions.
Tomorrow is the 30th anniversary of the defence of the Vilnius TV Tower after the restoration of Lithuania’s independence. Põlluaas expressed his condolences to the friends and families of those who lost their lives in these events. Lithuania will celebrate that day as a national holiday tomorrow, commemorating the victims and remembering freedom fighters.
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills
The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (293 SE), initiated by the Government, will set out safeguards with regard to the jurisdictions included in the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, in order that aggressive tax planning would be impossible through the jurisdictions included in the EU list.
Under the Bill, the calculation of the basic exemption in Estonia will be equal for a resident natural person and a resident natural person of another Contracting State. The current Act also enables a resident natural person of another Contracting State to make the deductions from income earned in Estonia that are allowed for a resident natural person. The difference in the treatment of an Estonian resident and a resident of another Contracting State is however manifest in the calculation of the basic exemption.
At the same time, the Bill will ensure that, in terms of the taxation of the reimbursement of the daily subsistence allowances and the transport, accommodation and other costs of servants participating in secondments by Frontex and EASO, they will be treated equally as regards the taxation of the reimbursements made to the national experts at a European Union institution or office or agency who participate in civilian missions.
The Bill on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and Other Acts (295 SE), initiated by the Government, will ensure more flexible organisation of the alternative and continuing care service, extend the range of persons who are entitled to monthly family benefits, and enhance the possibilities for local authorities to support young people who need the continuing care service.
The Bill will also enable a contract of employment to be entered into with family parents in family homes providing the alternative care service, besides the authorisation agreement provided for in the current law. Specifications regarding the working and rest time will be provided for the cases when a contract of employment is entered into, which will ensure family parents social guarantees equally to other persons employed under the Employment Contracts Act. Under the current regulation, an agreement can be entered into with a family parent that is essentially an authorisation agreement under the law of obligations with special conditions and the conditions in place will not be amended.
The Bill will create the possibility to receive family benefits, for example, child benefit, guardianship allowance, the single parent’s child allowance, the allowance for families with many children, as well as the disabled student’s allowance and the disabled parent’s allowance if a child of up to 19 years of age has been included in the list of a full-time in-service training course at a state agency administered by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The amendment concerns children over 16 years of age who are studying at Astangu Vocational Rehabilitation Centre and who do not have the status of a student and therefore are deprived of the above-mentioned allowance. Under the current regulation, the payment of family allowances in connection with studies is contingent on studies at a basic school, a secondary school or in formal vocational education.
The Bill will also make other amendments. For example, uniform state fee rates will be established for the social services provided under an activity licence. They include the social rehabilitation service, the safe house service and the general care service provided outside home. In the case of the continuing care service, local authorities will have possibility to use the resources of the support fund for all young people who have left alternative care and guardianship until they attain 25 years of age. Under the regulation in force, the age requirement is different.
Eduard Odinets took his oath of office before the Riigikogu.
At the beginning of the sitting of the Riigikogu, there was an intense discussion in connection with the proceedings on the motions to amend the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a Referendum on the Issue of the Definition of Marriage” (288 OE) in the Constitutional Committee. The opposition had submitted protests, referring to violations of procedure. Since the protests submitted to the Board of the Riigikogu had not been reviewed, opposition members moved to remove the second reading of the draft Resolution from the agenda for the working week. The motion was not supported. The agenda was approved with 50 votes in favour and 45 against. Before the approval of the agenda, the deliberation of the research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship development plan 2021–2035 was removed from the agenda for the sitting on Wednesday on the proposal of the Cultural Affairs Committee.
During the open microphone, Peeter Ernits and Kalle Grünthal took the floor.
NordenBladet — At its extraordinary sitting today, the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the proposed amendments to the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu 288 OE. The Committee adopted a Statement which condemns the motions to amend regarding Estonia becoming a part of Russia and surrendering Saaremaa Island to Latvia.
The Statement says: “In their work, the Members of the Riigikogu must proceed from the oath of office of a Member of the Riigikogu and from the Constitution of Estonia. Article 2 of the Constitution provides that the land, territorial waters and airspace of the Estonian state are an inseparable and indivisible whole.
All motions to amend submitted by the Members of the Riigikogu that concern making Estonia a part of Russia and surrendering the island of Saaremaa to Latvia contradict the oath of office of Member of the Riigikogu and the Good Practice of the members of the Parliament, and damage the international reputation of Estonia.
We call on the members of the Riigikogu who submitted these motions to apologise for them. We condemn such activities on behalf of the Constitutional Committee.”
The Statement was supported by Anti Poolamets, Heiki Hepner, Martin Repinski, Marko Šorin (substitute member of Andrei Korobeinik), Tõnis Mölder (substitute member of Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski) and Kalle Grünthal.
Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Kruuse, Ants Laaneots and Jüri Jaanson have withdrawn their motions to amend containing the question “Would it be better to live in the Republic of Estonia if the Republic of Estonia were a part of Russia?”
The Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu will continue preparations for the second reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Holding a Referendum on the Issue of the Definition of Marriage” at its extraordinary sitting at 12 noon on Sunday, 10 January.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu on holding a Referendum on the issue of the definition of marriage (288 OE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and the Faction Isamaa, passed its first reading in the Riigikogu on 14 December 2020. The second reading is scheduled for 13 January.
The Bill provides for submitting the following question (other national issue): “Shall marriage remain a union between a man and a woman in Estonia?” to the referendum to be held on 18 April 2021. By the date for submitting amendments, 9317 motions to amend the Draft Resolution were submitted.
NordenBladet —The Government approved the order governing travel from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Estonia. As of 1 January, when coming to Estonia from the United Kingdom, it is necessary to get tested for SARS-CoV-2 at least 72 hours before the start of the trip.
The Government approved the regulation pursuant to which a person can only travel to Estonia from the United Kingdom if they have been tested 72 hours before the trip for SARS-CoV-2, and the result of the test has been negative. The obligation to get tested does not extend to children under 10 years of age. After crossing the border, when arriving from the United Kingdom, a person must remain in self-isolation for 14 days, during which time they are not allowed to leave their residence or permanent place of stay.
It is possible to shorten the 14-day self-isolation period if, in addition to the test taken before entering the country, a person also gets tested on the seventh day after arriving in Estonia. The period of self-isolation will be shortened if both tests are negative.
People who arrive in Estonia from the United Kingdom in the coming days and are unable to get tested 72 hours before the trip, must get tested immediately after entering the country. To shorten the period of self-isolation, the second test must be taken no sooner than on the seventh day after learning the results of the first test. The results of both tests must be negative.
The period of self-isolation will also be shortened if a physician deems the person to be non-infectious. To shorten the period of self-isolation, children under 10 years of age must also get tested.
A person arriving from the United Kingdom may leave self-isolation under the orders of a physician, police officer or official of the rescue service, or in the event of an emergency. A person in self-isolation may leave their home to purchase items that are crucial for living, if these cannot be obtained in any other manner. A person may spend time outside by fully avoiding contact with other people. Regardless of the reason for leaving home or permanent place of stay, all measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus must be followed.
Exceptions for testing and self-isolation will continue to remain in effect for certain persons if they do not exhibit symptoms. For example, restrictions will not extended to persons arriving in Estonia in the context of military defence cooperation, to diplomats or resolvers of the emergency situation.
The Government Communication Unit is publishing the order and its explanatory memorandum on the kriis.ee website.
NordenBladet —At an e-session, the government approved the support measures for the areas affected by the COVID-19 restrictions, the largest part of which concerns the support of the people of Harju and Ida-Viru counties through employers.
“This year has been unpredictably difficult for the whole world. In Estonia, the people and companies of Harju and Ida-Viru counties have suffered particularly badly due to the second wave of the coronavirus. In order to prevent the medical system from collapsing, the government had to impose extensive restrictions in these counties,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “Unfortunately, these restrictions have seriously disrupted the lives of thousands of people. Today, the government approved support measures totalling more than 30 million euros to compensate for the loss of income. They are aimed at employees working in the tourism, accommodation, and catering sector but also in the fields of culture, sports, and education. We also provided support for self-employed persons operating in these fields,” he emphasised. “Together, we can overcome this very difficult time. Let us hope that in the near future, the situation will stabilise thanks to vaccination and we will able to return to our normal life all over Estonia.”
More than 16 million euros will be directed to support Harju and Ida-Viru counties through the Unemployment Insurance Fund
Compensation will be paid to those employers in Harju and Ida-Viru counties whose activities have been seriously disrupted due to the extensive restrictions in force between 28 December and 17 January.
In accordance with the submitted plan, compensation is paid to employers for those employees whose place of employment as at 22 December is in Harju County or Ida-Viru County according to the employment register. Labour costs are compensated on the basis of the employer’s wage costs for employees in Harju and Ida-Viru counties in November. The compensation is transferred to the employers’ bank account. Companies receiving compensation may not make redundancies for one month after receiving the support.
Compensation for labour costs is intended for accommodation and catering companies, sports facilities, recreational activities, refresher training, and culture. Compensation is paid only to companies that do not have a tax debt to the state or to companies whose tax debt has been deferred as at 22 December. The maximum rate of compensation for labour costs per employer is 180,000 euros.
The support is paid to entrepreneurs once and it is possible to apply for the support during February 2021 through E-töötukassa.
More than 800,000 euros will be allocated to support self-employed persons in Harju and Ida-Viru counties
813,512 euros will be allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Social Affairs to support self-employed persons in Ida-Viru and Harju counties whose economic activities have been significantly disrupted due to the restrictions imposed by the government.
Almost 10 million euros will be directed to the tourism sector through Enterprise Estonia
The funds for the tourism sector are directed to support accommodation companies, catering companies operating in the Old Town of Tallinn, operators of Estonian handicraft and souvenir shops, and travel companies (travel agencies and tour operators). The maximum amount of support per company is 60,000 to 180,000 euros, depending on the company’s field of activity, loss of turnover, and/or labour taxes.
Enterprise Estonia will start granting the supports in the first quarter of 2021 after the approval of the support regulation and receipt of a state aid permit from the European Commission.
To finance the measure, the government will allocate 5 million euros from the reserve to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
In addition, the government decided to allocate the remaining 3 million euros to support the lease payments of trade and service companies negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak of the coronavirus in spring 2020.
The 1.9 million euros left over from the spring aid measure in this area will also be used to support tourism businesses.
Support in the field of culture and sport
3.7 million euros were allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Culture to support cultural enterprises in Harju and Ida-Viru counties. The terms of the support measure are similar to the spring crisis package for culture and sport, but the exact terms will be worked out. The application rounds will open in January.
In addition, cultural operators, as well as cultural and sports companies and organisations can apply to the Unemployment Insurance Fund for compensation for labour costs for the period from 28 December to 17 January. The Unemployment Insurance Fund has specially planned funds to compensate for labour costs in the field of culture and sports.
An additional 153,000 euros will be allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Culture to compensate for the damage to culture and sports elsewhere in Estonia resulting from the restrictions extended until 10 January.
The support applications are processed in various fields by the Ministry of Culture, the Estonian Centre of Folk Culture, the Integration Foundation, or the Estonian Foundation of Sport Education and Information. Applicants are asked to check the website and Facebook page of the Ministry of Culture.
Support in the field of education and youth
2.3 million euros were allocated from the government reserve to the Ministry of Education and Research to support private providers of hobby education and recreational activities for young people in Harju and Ida-Viru counties. The principles of resource allocation will be decided separately. Entrepreneurs in the field of education and youth will also have the opportunity to apply to the Unemployment Insurance Fund for compensation for labour costs for the period from 28 December to 17 January.
An additional 441,000 euros will be allocated from the government reserve to the ministry to compensate for the damage resulting from the restrictions to private providers of hobby education and recreational activities elsewhere in Estonia.
The measure makes it possible to offer private providers of hobby education and recreational activities all over Estonia a one-time support payment of 10 euros per student and up to 30 euros per student in Ida-Viru and Harju counties. The basis for receiving support for private hobby education providers is the data in the Estonian education information system on the number of students as at 10 November. A simple electronic form must be completed in January to confirm the application. Private providers of recreational activities can submit an application for the support.
Ministries will provide more detailed information on applying for the supports in the new year.
There is also a restriction to avoid receiving several supports at the same time, which means that if a company decides to apply for support from the Ministry of Education and Research or the Ministry of Culture for the same period, it will not receive remuneration support through the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
NordenBladet — The European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) approved Estonia’s positions regarding the agreements regulating the future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom at its today’s sitting.
Chair of the Committee Mailis Reps said that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union was regrettable and it would complicate the lives of many Estonians. “However, our Committee will also try to do everything to see that the changes would go as smoothly as possible. An agreement is in any case better than Britain leaving without a deal,” Reps pointed out.
The Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee added that unfortunately the agreements made in the busy moments at the end of the year showed signs of haste. “In connection with the end of free movement in January, travelling to the United Kingdom will be more complicated for those who wish to stay longer than for six months. We know that many young people are interested in studying in the UK and they are waiting for news about that. Unfortunately, there are no decisions that resolve the future of the Erasmus programmes, and in order to study in the UK, the students will have to apply for a student visa from 1 January 2021. But we are working to find good solutions to this as fast as possible, maybe as an alternative system,” Reps said.
Travelling between the EU and the UK continues to be visa-free also from the beginning of the next year, for 90 days in a 180-day period.
Deputy Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut underlined that having close relations and cooperation with the United Kingdom was important for Estonia. “Estonia values free, open and smooth trade with the UK, and regarding the recent agreement, I would like to highlight zero tariffs on mutual trade as an important decision,” she said.
According to the explanatory memorandum of the decision, the main interests of Estonia are also ensuring mutual access to the markets and equal competition conditions, as well as cooperation in digital trade and between small and medium-size enterprises, movement of capital and investments, and continuation of data exchange, transport connections, social protection and internal and legal cooperation.
The European Commission held negotiations with the United Kingdom on behalf of the Member States to conclude a new partnership agreement. Last Thursday these negotiations ended in agreeing on Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the agreement on protecting classified information and the cooperation agreement on safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy at the chief negotiators level.
In order for these agreements to take effect from the beginning of the next year, draft decisions have been submitted to Member States for urgent approval by the end of today. Signing of the agreements is planned for tomorrow. In order to give the parties of the agreement the possibility to acquaint themselves with the contents of the agreement, the draft decision provides for applying the agreement provisionally from January next year.