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Source: Parliament of Estonia

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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

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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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At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu discussed the proposal of the Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise to deprive Mailis Reps of deputy immunity and to continue court proceedings concerning her.

In her report, Ülle Madise said that neither making the proposal nor even depriving an MP of their deputy immunity means that they are guilty of an offence. “This also does not stop their authority as a Member of the Riigikogu. The authority of a Member of the Riigikogu terminates if the court finds them guilty and the decision enters into force,” the Chancellor of Justice explained. She added that depriving Mailis Reps of deputy immunity simply allows the court proceedings to continue in order to find out the truth.

In addition, the Chancellor of Justice outlined the content of the accusations against Reps.

56 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of depriving Mailis Reps of deputy immunity.

A Bill passed the first reading

The objective of the Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act (400 SE), initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, is to allow binding local referendums. The explanatory memorandum says that the Local Government Organisation Act that was in force in 1993–1999 set out local referendums as one of the instruments for carrying out local authority. The Bill would not exactly restore the earlier provisions of the Local Government Organisation Act; instead, it’s wording would allow municipal councils to provide for an option for the local residents themselves to bring about referendums as public initiatives.

During the debate, Mihhail Stlanuhhin (Centre Party) and Henn Põlluaas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

The proceeding of one Bill was carried over to the next sitting

Due to the end of the sitting, the Bill on Amendments to the Youth Work Act (411 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was carried over to tomorrow’s sitting. Its purpose is to support the participation of youth in hobby education and activities, and to prevent a situation where any additional state support could be drastically reduced. For this purpose, the support allocated from the state budget for hobby education and activities in municipalities must not be lower than during the previous budget period. The Bill should also prevent a situation where no budgetary means are set aside for paying the additional support.

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

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Source: Parliament of Estonia

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President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas spoke about the challenge and opportunity of tackling climate change at the European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments of the member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Athens today.

“We all share a concern and a sense of responsibility for creating a successful and sustainable Europe,” Ratas said in his speech in Athens. “Tackling climate change appears to be a pressing challenge for every country, but we must view it as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to modernise our economies, ensure a sustainable growth.”

Ratas emphasised that a clean and healthy environment was an important component of the realisation of all human rights. He pointed out that the right to physical and moral health, family life and personal integrity of each human being depended crucially on healthy ecosystems.

“We have to recognise that nature has no borders. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we inhabit is the responsibility of us all,” Ratas said. “Every human being has the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.”

Ratas gave his counterparts an overview of Riigikogu’s work in integrating international standards and agreements in the national legislation and implementing climate related legislative amendments in accordance with the Fit for 55 Package. He explained that Estonia worked together with recognised experts in order to develop scientific research, technological solutions and innovations.

Ratas added that through education, projects and environmental competitions, Estonia had established a structured youth engagement. “Young people as equal partners to decision-makers are valuable contributors to the climate action,” he said. “We strongly believe that the openness of the regulatory process along with accurate analyses help to raise public awareness about the importance and opportunities of the green transition.”

The agenda of the President of the Riigikogu for today and tomorrow also includes several bilateral meetings with his counterparts. Today, Ratas met with Vice-President of the National Assembly of France Laetitia Saint-Paul, and President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Éliane Tillieux and President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D’Hose. Excellent mutual parliamentary relations and cooperation in issues relating to security, energy and climate change were discussed at the meetings.   

Photos of the conference

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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Source: Parliament of Estonia

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At today’s sitting of the Riigikogu, the Bill that will extend the duration of the procedure for payment of sickness benefits until the end of next year passed the first reading. According to the Bill, the sickness benefit is paid from the second day of their sick leave.

The Bill on Amendments to the Act on Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Other Acts, and the Act on Amendments to the Employment Contracts Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (456 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, will provide for continuing payment of sickness benefit until the end of 2022 from the second day of sick leave until the fifth day of sick leave by the employer, and from the sixth day of sick leave by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. Thus, the system that is currently in force, and according to which the first day of sick leave is the employee’s own liability, the second to fifth days are the employer’s liability and the liability of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund begins on the sixth day of sick leave, will continue until the end of 2022 pursuant to the Bill.

The explanatory memorandum notes that earlier compensation for days of sick leave enables people to remain at home already when the first symptoms of illness appear without losing significantly in income.

Implementation of the amendment will cause additional expenses of 19 million euro in 2022, of which 12.4 million euro will be covered form the state budget and the rest from the own resources of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

The Act is planned to be in force for a specified period of time, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.

During the debate, Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party), Oudekki Loone (Centre Party) and Mart Helme (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

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

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Today and tomorrow, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas attends the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament that brings Speakers and Presidents of the member states of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) together in Athens.

The Presidents of Parliaments will exchange experience and ideas on addressing the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of climate change and the common future of all European citizens.

The President of the Riigikogu also plans to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts in Athens.

After distancing due to the coronavirus crisis, the speakers of the parliaments of 47 member states have the possibility to come together and devote the first panel of the Conference to sharing experience and practices for the way forward in the continuing health crisis.

The second theme will focus on environmental problems. The main aim of global policy now and in the future is to respond to the challenge caused by climate change. Here, the parliaments have an important role in identifying national priorities, providing guidance and monitoring, and ensuring the allocation of adequate resources. They must also contribute to promoting dialogue between the various parties involved at local, national, regional and international level.

The Conference will conclude with discussions on the common future of all European citizens, focusing on giving a voice to the young people, innovation and development of technologies of the future, at the same time ensuring that nobody is left behind in the democracy of the future.

Source: Parliament of Estonia