NordenBladet — The Act that was passed in the Riigikogu today establishes the rules of the road and the requirements for electric scooters and other light electric vehicles so that their use would be secure and safe for other road users.

With the Act on Amendments to the Traffic Act (191 SE), initiated by the Government, a new category of vehicles is implemented, personal transporter, which covers various vehicles intended for carrying one person and powered by electricity, for example, electric kick scooters, electric skateboards, self-balancing transporters and other similar vehicles without seating. Under the Act, personal transporters may drive mainly in the environment intended for pedestrians and cyclists, and on the carriageway in exceptional cases. The requirements for crossing the carriageway and the obligations to give way, and the obligations of the driver of personal transporter in ensuring safety are also regulated. The maximum speed for personal transporter is established at 25 km/h, and in close proximity to pedestrians, it must drive at a speed not endangering pedestrians.

In order to ride a personal transporter on the carriageway, 10–15 year old drivers of personal transporter are required to have the right to ride a bicycle, and drivers aged under 16 must wear a fastened helmet when driving on a road. Also, requirements for the power of personal transporters and for the use of reflectors and lights are established, the maximum permitted width of personal transporters and the requirements for stopping and parking are provided for, and the fine rates for the violation of traffic regulations are provided for.

The requirements concerning cyclists and drivers of mini mopeds and mopeds, in particular the issues relating to their location on the road and their obligation to give way are additionally specified.

The Act also contains a transitional provision under which persons who, before the entry into force of the Act, will have procured a personal transporter with a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h will be able to continue to use it in the case when the speed limit for personal transporters will be set at 25 kilometres per hour.

The Act specifies, among other things, the safe passing of pedestrians, the obligations in the event of restricted visibility, and the safety requirements in buses used for occasional carriage of children on roads outside built-up areas.

During the debate, Raimond Kaljulaid (Social Democratic Party) and Sven Sester (Isamaa) took the floor.

77 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the passage of the Act, nine were against, and there were three abstentions.

The Riigikogu also passed a Resolution

With the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Increasing the Holding of the Republic of Estonia in the International Finance Corporation” (237 OE), submitted by the Government, the Riigikogu grants its consent to increasing Estonia’s holding in the International Finance Corporation (IFC) by 3102 shares totalling 3 102 000 US dollars (approximate cost 2 872 222.22 euro). It is a financing transaction. The obligations will be assumed in US dollars. Contributions will be made within the period 2021–2025.

The International Finance Corporation is an organisation focusing on private sector investments. For example, in 2019, it invested 19.1 billion US dollars in 65 countries into the businesses of developing countries. The IFC, which is a member of the World Bank Group, was established by 31 countries in 1956. The authorised capital stock of the IFC was 100 million US dollars. The IFC currently has 185 members. Although the IFC is an institution that is a member of the World Bank Group, it has its Articles of Agreement and separate share capital, financial structure, management and employees.

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

Two Bills passed the second reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Tax Information Exchange Act (238 SE), initiated by the Government.

In order to facilitate the overcoming of the economic difficulties accompanying the emergency situation due to the coronavirus, the European Union member states have agreed by a relevant Council directive that member states can defer the beginning of the exchange of information on cross-border arrangements by six months. In view of this, the Bill will make amendments to the time limits for filing the arrangements, while no substantial amendments will be made.

The exchange of information concerns cross-border arrangements that enable aggressive tax-planning and the concealment of the beneficial owner of assets or complicate the exchange of bank account information. Under the current law, providers of tax advice, banks and taxpayers would have to begin to communicate the information on the arrangements to tax authorities from 31 July 2021. According to the Bill, 31 January 2021 will be the new deadline.

The Bill on Amendments to the Labour Dispute Resolution Act (214 SE), initiated by the Government, will amend the principles for the remuneration of lay assessors of labour dispute committees.

Under the Bill, the remuneration of a lay assessor will be equal to the minimum hourly wage rate, which is 3.48 euro this year. At present, the remuneration of lay assessors is calculated on the basis of the Salaries of Higher state Servants Act according to which the hourly wage is 3.07 euro. In the future, the work of lay assessors of labour dispute committees in preparation for sessions will be remunerated. At present, remuneration is paid only for the time spent on attending the sessions of a labour dispute committee.

The explanatory memorandum notes that two lay assessors must attend a session of a labour resolution committee: a representative of employees and a representative of employers. Similarly to lay judges, the purpose of lay assessors’ attendance is to view the labour dispute matter from a human rather than juridical aspect in the resolution of a labour dispute, taking into account the particularities of the views of the employees and the employers where they are of importance in the resolution of the labour dispute matter. The bases for the calculation of the remuneration paid to lay assessors have not been changed since 2013, and, under the current procedure, the remuneration paid to lay assessors is lower than the minimum hourly wage rate. This restrains employees and employers’ willingness to contribute to the work of labour dispute committees in the resolution of labour disputes.

In addition, the Bill introduces amendments aiming at specification and amendment of the current procedure in the interests of legal clarity. For example, it will be specified how many people can have recourse to a labour dispute committee with a joint petition, and the additional option of conducting sessions via a video bridge will be provided.

Two Bills passed the first reading

The Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement between the Republic of Estonia and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) concerning the Granting of the Status of Associate Member in the Pre-Stage to Membership of CERN (230 SE), initiated by the Government.

With the ratification of the agreement, Estonia will become an associate member of CERN. The Agreement concerning the granting of the status of associate member in the pre-stage to membership of CERN needs to be ratified in the Riigikogu, because, with the agreement, Estonia joins an international organisation and it regulates tax issues, granting a tax exemption on the property and income of CERN.

The accession will allow knowledge transfer for Estonian firms, in particular in high technology, but it will also open wider opportunities to participate in CERN procurements. After 2–5 years of associate membership, Estonia will become a full member of CERN and will conclude a new agreement that will replace this agreement. The associate member status before becoming a full member is mandatory for new member states. When Estonia becomes a full member, additional opportunities will open to it, as the maximum limit for the amount that can be recovered from CERN will be eliminated. In the associate member period, an amount recovered must not exceed the contribution of the state, and the state is not entitled to vote in the Council.

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas and Director-General of CERN Fabiola Gianotti signed the agreement via a video bridge in Tallinn and Geneva on 19 June 2020.

CERN was established on 29 September when the Convention for the Establishment of a European Organization for Nuclear Research entered into force. The Organization provides for collaboration among European States in nuclear research of a pure scientific and fundamental character, and in research essentially related thereto.

The Bill on the Ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Cinematographic Co-production (revised) (258 SE), initiated by the Government.

The Convention aims to foster international cinematographic co-operation in Europe. The revision of the Convention was due to the significant technological, economic and artistic evolution of the film industry since 1992. The new technology has changed both the cinematographic production, distribution and release methods, and the national financing schemes in cinematography have diversified in the states parties. As a result of the Convention, it will be possible for Estonian cinematographic producers to join international co-productions more easily, thereby expanding the creative and financing opportunities to make film projects.

The Convention applies to co-operation films, for example, cinematographic works of fiction, animation and documentaries that are intended to be shown in cinemas and, as a general rule, involve at least three producers from three member states. The co-productions of the relevant countries are subject to the approval of the competent authorities of the states parties and the application for co-production status, and once it is obtained, it is possible to apply for support from public funds. The accession to the Convention is important to Estonia for participation in co-productions where the contribution of a producer remains below 10 per cent of the production costs of the film but is not less than 5 per cent. Compared to the Convention of 1992, the minimum necessary financial contribution of a minority co-producer has been reduced and this opens the possibility in particular for small countries to participate in more co-productions.

Co-production is of significant importance in the making of Estonian films with a higher than average budget because it is impossible to produce such films with Estonian funding only. The application of the Convention will involve no additional expenses from the state budget because the objectives set will be achieved within the budget of the Ministry of Culture and the Estonian Film Institute Foundation.

NordenBladet — Today, the Riigikogu passed the Act under which, in the future, local governments will resolve extra-judicial place name disputes instead of the Place Names Board. The Board will give its weighted positions in name disputes where necessary.

The Act on Amendments to the Place Names Act (186 SE), initiated by the Government, also provides 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. 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 may no longer be established as commemorative names, that is, place names established in the memory or honour of persons. In the event of a conflict, the names authority will have to change the place name.

Amendments are also 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.

In the future, the Land Board who was the authorised processor of the register up to now will maintain the place names register instead of the Ministry of Finance. The functions of the authorised processor of the register are 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 debate, Eerik-Niiles Kross took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Reform Party Faction.

76 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act and there was one abstention.

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.