NordenBladet — Under the Resolution of the Riigikogu “The Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in Operation ‘Sentinel’ of the International Maritime Security Construct” (211 OE), initiated by the Government, the mandate will be in force until 31 December 2021.

In summer 2019, the United States of America launched an initiative to establish the International Maritime Security Construct IMSC, which aims to ensure the freedom of navigation and security of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and to promote a rule-based international order. In order to achieve this, IMSC has launched the operation Sentinel in the Strait of Hormuz region.

Estonia’s priority is international relations based on international law and rules, including the ensuring of freedom of navigation. By participating in the operation, Estonia will make its contribution to increasing stability and security in the Middle East region. Estonia will contribute with a staff officer at the operation headquarters in Bahrain. By participating in operation “Sentinel”, Estonia will continue bilateral cooperation in international missions with its strategic partners, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

The expenses of the participation in the operation will be covered from the budget of the area of government of the Ministry of Defence.

84 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Resolution.

One Bill passed the second reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act and the Estonian Flag Act (277 SE) (consolidated Bills 131 SE, 132 SE and 172 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, members of the Riigikogu Jüri Jaanson, Signe Kivi, Signe Riisalo, Toomas Kivimägi, Mart Võrklaev, Annely Akkermann, Kaja Kallas, Liina Kersna, Vilja Toomast, Yoko Alender, Andrus Seeme and Andres Sutt and the Social Democratic Party Faction, will amend the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act by including the Children’s Day, celebrated on 1 June, in the list of days of national importance. The list of flag days set out in the Estonian Flag Act will also be amended by adding the Children’s Day and the Grandparents’ Day. The Grandparents’ Day is already now celebrated as a day of national importance in Estonia on the second Sunday of September every year, but not as a flag day.

During the debate, Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) and Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party) took the floor.

One Bill passed the first reading

Under the Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (213 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, sole proprietors and natural persons may additionally deduct up to 5,000 euro, instead of the current 2,877 euro, during a period of taxation from their income derived from the sale of self-produced agricultural products after the deductions allowed have been made.

The explanatory memorandum notes that the tax incentive established for private forest owners will need to extend analogously to Estonian farmers as well.

The Riigikogu rejected a draft Resolution at the first reading

The purpose of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Draw Up Legislative Amendments to Solve the Problem of the Long-term Care Burden” (224 OE), submitted by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was to make a proposal to the Government to prepare legislative amendments in order to resolve the problem of the long-term care burden so that human-centred provision of care would be ensured to all who need help.

During the debate, Heljo Pikhof (Social Democratic Party), Urmas Espenberg (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Hele Everaus (Reform Party) took the floor.

35 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution. The support of at least 51 members of the Riigikogu was needed to pass the Resolution.

NordenBladet — Chairman of the National Defence Committee Andres Metsoja thinks that in ensuring security, the military and civilian systems should always be viewed together. “Agencies tend to sit on different benches and it is quite complicated to find a common ground,” Metsoja admitted. “Today’s meeting was first of all necessary for giving the ministers an opportunity to explain the changes planned in their area of responsibility.” In Metsoja’s opinion, harmonisation of positions is the only solution for moving forward.

Member of the National Defence Committee Johannes Kert emphasised the importance of forwarding recognised maritime surveillance pictures to NATO. He said it was necessary for NATO maritime forces so that they could react in our defence. “The current situation of Estonia’s maritime defence inevitably makes Estonia the weakest link in the NATO chain,” Kert explained. “As we are not able to send recognised maritime surveillance pictures to NATO today, NATO cannot timely react in our defence. The defencelessness of the West Estonian islands is a problem also to other Baltic and Baltic Sea member states of NATO and the European Union.”

Kert pointed out that it was necessary to end wasting of maritime resources and unite performance of the functions of the state at sea into one navy. “The most effective opportunity would be to unite maritime agencies under the composition of the navy with the resources and means they use today, optimise the use and development of capabilities under one leadership,” Kert said, and added that this was generally done in the NATO countries.

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas, Minister of the Interior Mart Helme and representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Government Office gave explanations to the Committee. Referring to the discussion in the Security Committee of the Government of the Republic, the Prime Minister said that the Government considered it important to ensure the maritime security and safety of the country. The budget strategy for 2021–2024 provides for allocating additional resources for capability development in the areas of government of both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence. It is planned to develop a common organisational management organisation by 2022, which would ensure more effective use of the ships and other resources of the Defence Forces, the Police and Border Guard Board and the Maritime Administration for national defence purposes. It also means that in the future there will be compatible communications systems, common trainings and joint exercises.

NordenBladet — Under the Bill on Amendments to the Organic Farming Act and the Plant Propagation and Plant Variety Rights Act, in the future, persons who sell unpacked organic products in small quantities, for example small organic shops, will be exempt from the obligation to be in the possession of a certificate.

It will be sufficient to notify the Agricultural and Food Board in order to obtain the exemption. It is an option granted by the EU, under which Member States can grant exemptions to operators that sell unpacked organic products to the final consumer, provided that they do not produce, prepare, store other than in connection with the point of sale, or import such products from a third country, or subcontract such activities to another operator.

The sale of unpacked organic products must not exceed 5 000 kg per year; such sales must not represent an annual turnover in relation to unpacked organic products exceeding EUR 20 000; or the potential certification cost of the operator exceeds 2 % of the total turnover on unpacked organic products sold by that operator.

In order to prevent fraudulent use of the indications referring to organic farming, the bases for the repeal of decisions on recognition will be changed and the fine for knowingly placing on the market non-organic products with an indication referring to organic farming will be increased.

The Bill on Amendments to the Organic Farming Act and the Plant Propagation and Plant Variety Rights Act (260 SE), initiated by the Government, will bring the Act into conformity with the EU organic farming Regulation and the establishment of a new agency, the Agricultural and Food Board, on the basis of the Agricultural Board and the Veterinary and Food Board.

NordenBladet — At their meeting today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér spoke about the bilateral relations between their countries and cooperation at the European Union level.  

“We have very much in common, not only in history, but also in political and security issues,” Põlluaas said. “Such meetings contribute to the deepening of our bilateral relations even more. Our common duty is to look not only to the past, but also to the future, so that we could represent the interests of our countries in the best way.”

At their meeting, Põlluaas and Kövér discussed issues related to the European Union immigration policy and the need to protect traditional European Christian values, as well as the payment conditions of the European recovery fund and the multiannual budget of the European Union.

Regarding tolerance and freedoms, both Speakers were of one mind that all parties had to have equal rights. “It is not acceptable that different positions are forced on nation states that rely on traditional European Christian values,” Põlluaas emphasised.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary pointed out that although the bilateral relations were close and mutual cooperation was further strengthened by having related languages, much could still be done in developing of economic relations,

Chairman of Estonia-Hungary Parliamentary Group Anti Poolamets also participated in the meeting.

At the Riigikogu, Kövér also had a meeting with Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Anneli Ott, with whom the Conference on the Future of Europe, the recovery fund, the Multiannual Financial Framework and the importance of the role of the national parliaments in making decisions were discussed.

In the afternoon, President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér laid flowers at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism at Maarjamäe. On Tuesday, Kövér will be on Saaremaa Island.

NordenBladet — Today, Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér arrives on a two-day visit to Estonia.

This morning, he will meet with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas at Stenbock House (seat of the Government of Estonia), and later with President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas and Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Anneli Ott at Toompea Castle.

In the afternoon, President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary László Kövér will lay flowers at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism at Maarjamäe.

During the visit, Mr. Kövér will present Trivimi Velliste Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit on behalf of the Hungarian State. Vice-President of the Riigikogu Helir-Valdor Seeder will also participate in the meeting.

On Tuesday, Kövér will be on Saaremaa Island. He will meet with Chair of Saaremaa Municipality Council Tiiu Aro and Mayor of Saaremaa Municipality Mikk Tuisk, and visit Kuressaare Castle, St. James Church in Pihtla and Kaali Meteorite Crater visitor centre.

It is a return visit of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary. President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas visited the Hungarian Parliament last year in October.

NordenBladet — Recent videoconferences of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) focused on artificial intelligence, human rights and academic freedom of higher education institutions.

Head of the Estonian Delegation to PACE Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski said that the main topics of discussions at yesterday’s virtual meeting of the enlarged Standing Committee had been the challenges of artificial intelligence and its threats to fundamental freedoms. The role of artificial intelligence in policing and criminal justice systems and on labour market, and the legal aspects of autonomous vehicles were also discussed.

In her speech at the Assembly, Jufereva-Skuratovski said that various measures had been taken to protect the personal data of users, but it was also necessary to create a so-called “moral machine”. “It is a collection of measures and rules that should become the fundamental principles for the operation of artificial intelligence,” Jufereva-Skuratovski explained. She added that the moral machine had to comply with humanity, principles of the rule of law and the European Convention on Human Rights. In Jufereva-Skuratovski’s opinion, the moral of machines should become a support and a guarantee for the safe and effective development of the relations between the humans, the machines and the environment, and for the future.

The main topics of today’s videoconference were the new crackdown on political opposition and social opposition in Turkey and protection of Turkish citizens by the European Court of Human Rights. The dangers connected with the profession of lawyer, and the need to protect lawyers were also discussed. Besides that, the gender dimension of foreign policy, and threats to the autonomy academic freedom of higher education institutions in Europe were spoken about.

Jufereva-Skuratovski pointed out in her today’s speech that her political group in the PACE, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, supported the creation of a platform for the protection of lawyers and drafting of a European convention on the profession of lawyer. As a positive example, she pointed out Estonia, where lawyers were protected, which showed that we had a country that respected democracy, human rights and principles of the rule of law.

Besides Jufereva-Skuratovski, members of the Estonian Delegation to PACE Urmas Reitelmann, Raivo Tamm and Vilja Toomast attended the videoconference.

Pace is the oldest international parliamentary assembly in Europe that held its opening session on 10 August 1949. The task of the Council of Europe is to protect the fundamental values of its member states: human rights, the principle of the rule of law, and democracy.

NordenBladet — The President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas met with the President of the National Council of Switzerland Isabelle Moret today to discuss friendly bilateral relations, Estonia’s e-governance experience, and cooperation in international organisations.

“Estonia has always viewed Switzerland as a bastion of democracy,” Põlluaas said. “We share the same values and cooperate in international organisations.”

Põlluaas explained the telework options in the Riigikogu and described Estonia’s
e-governance services. He added that Estonia would be delighted to share its experiences in developing digital services with Switzerland.

Moret said that although Estonia is a young democracy, it is modern, and can teach Switzerland a lot about e-services.

Both Põlluaas and Moret highlighted excellent bilateral relations and mutual support for each other in international organisations. Moret was happy that Switzerland has the opportunity to join the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

The President of the National Council summarised Switzerland’s relations with the EU Member States. She described Switzerland as very open in its relations with Europe, committed to its relationship with the European Union, and ready and willing to develop this further. The last referendum showed that more than 60 percent of the Swiss support the free movement of people between Switzerland and the European Union.

The parties also talked about international relations, including migration, the situation in Belarus, and relations with Russia.

Other MPs who took part in the meeting were the Chairman of the Estonia-Switzerland Parliamentary Group Anti Poolamets, and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee Valdo Randpere. The schedule also includes meetings with the Estonia-Switzerland Parliamentary Group, and the Deputy Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut.

NordenBladet — On Friday, Moret will meet with the President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and members of the Estonia-Switzerland Parliamentary Group. She will also meet with the Deputy Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut.  

The visit will include meetings with a Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications expert on energy markets, and with the Head of the Health Service of the Health and Welfare Information Systems Centre that manages digital prescriptions.

Today, the Swiss official will visit the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence and the e-Estonia Briefing Centre. Moret will depart on Saturday.

NordenBladet — President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas welcomed today’s judgment of the Supreme Court of Estonia, according to which the mandatory funded pension reform was not unconstitutional.

“With this judgment, the Supreme Court expressed its high appreciation for the quality of the work of the Parliament. The decision of the Supreme Court to declare the pension reform constitutional proves the excellent level of legislative drafting of the Riigikogu, especially considering the importance and complexity of the reform, and the emotional discussions that accompanied it,” Põlluaas said,

Põlluaas thinks that the judgement of the Supreme Court on constitutionality brought about final legal clarity. “This judgment deprived the accusations against the reform of their basis,” Põlluaas pointed out. “It is especially important that the people of Estonia could be sure that the legislative drafting activities conducted in the Parliament are in accordance with the Constitution.”

“The mandatory funded pension reform adopted by the Riigikogu takes into account and protects in the best way the interests of our working people and our people who receive pension,” the President of the Riigikogu added.

On 29 January this year, the Riigikogu passed the Act on Amendments to the Funded Pensions Act and Other Associated Acts (108 UA), which made joining the second pillar pension scheme and leaving it voluntary. 56 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of and 45 were against the Act, which was tied to a vote of confidence in the Government. The President twice refused to proclaim the Act, and contested it in the Supreme Court on the grounds of unconstitutionality of the reform.

NordenBladet — The Bill that passed the second reading will change the functions of the Place Names Board in the resolution of place name disputes.

Under the Bill on Amendments to the Place Names Act (186 SE), initiated by the Government, the Place Names Board will no longer resolve extra-judicial disputes over the establishment and use of place names, and the resolution of disputes will remain to the local authorities who make the decisions. The Place Names Board will advise local authorities and will give its weighted positions in name disputes where necessary. This way the name dispute process will be shorter and more effective and will take place on a correct basis and at the correct level.

The Bill will provide more clearly for the status of place name to preclude cases where a name is intended to give a named feature a legal status, that is, to change the regime of the rights and obligations of the named feature.

Amendments will also be made to the procedure for the establishment of the Place Names Board. In the future, the Minister of Public Administration will establish the statutes of the Place Names Board, and the number of the members of the Place Name Board will no longer be determined at the level of Act. At present, the Board may have 11-15 members.

The Bill will transfer the maintenance of the national place names register from the Ministry of Finance to the Land Board who is the authorised processor of the register at present. According to the Bill, the functions of the authorised processor of the register will be assigned to the information technology centre of the Ministry of the Environment. On the basis of that, in the future, the Minister of the Environment will also establish the statutes of the register.

During the second reading, an amendment was made to the Bill, according to which it will be prohibited to establish as commemorative names the names of the persons who have acted against the establishment of the Republic of Estonia, the maintenance of constitutional order or the restoration of Estonia’s independence. In the event of a conflict, the names authority will have to change the place name.

During the debate, Mihhail Stalnuhhin (Centre Party), Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa), Viktor Vassiljev (Centre Party) and Aadu Must (Centre Party) took the floor.