The European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) started a series of parliamentary hearings in order to prepare a resolution with which Estonia will participate in the European Union negotiations on 2050 climate targets.
“The greatest challenge for Estonia in climate issues is exit from oil shale energy. It is a sensitive topic that has major economic and social impacts,” Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Anneli Ott said.
The dangers relating to the increase of the average temperature on Earth and the impact of different sectors on climate were discussed at the sitting. The experts told that at the increase in the Earth’s the average temperature by 1.5 degrees (in comparison to pre-Industrial Revolution level), the threats to the natural environment and humankind are considerably smaller that at warming by 2 degrees. To get results, it is necessary to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in all sectors. The ideal is to achieve climate neutrality, which means that the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the air is not larger than the ecosystem is able to bind.
Experts of the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre, who are preparing an analysis of Estonia’s potential to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 at the request of the Government of Estonia, delivered a report at the sitting.
The next parliamentary hearing at the European Union Affairs Committee will take place on 20 September. Representatives of energy intensive and green technology enterprises have been invited to attend. On 27 September, the European Union Affairs Committee will discuss meeting of Estonia’s 2020 and 2030 climate targets with the Minister of the Environment.
NordenBladet — At its today’s sitting, the Legal Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the proposal of the Estonian startup community to amend the regulations of the Commercial Code so that they would not be a barrier to the wish of foreign investors to invest into the Estonian companies. The Committee found that the situation required urgent solution.
“International investments are essential to the development of companies based on the Estonian capital. If the existing legal order hinders it and makes both the investors and our startups to look towards other countries, a solution has to be found quickly,” Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee Jaanus Karilaid said.
Member of the Legal Affairs Committee Kaja Kallas thinks that it is necessary to do everything to make investing into Estonia as simple and free of red tape as possible. “The image of Estonia’s e-success story has to keep up with the times, and if the current regulations have become a barrier to the growth of startups, they should be reviewed,” Kallas added.
The representatives of startups proposed to create a special regulation that would enable the shareholders of private limited-liability companies in the case of certain disposal transactions to opt for unattested written form that did not require notarial authentication. It means that a foreign investor does not have to come to Estonia in order to acquire shares and invest into the company, if all shareholders agree to it.
Representatives of the Ministry of Justice, law offices EllexRaidla and Sorainen, the Estonian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Startup Estonia, the Estonian Startup Leaders Club, the Estonian Business Angels Network and Bolt participated in the sitting.
NordenBladet —Today and tomorrow, Head of the Estonian delegation to the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC), Member of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Raivo Tamm participates in the EISC plenary session in Berlin, Germany. This year the plenary session focuses on the developments in the European space sector. Potential solutions to the issues relating to space will also be discussed.
“Representatives of the parliaments of different countries will come together to the plenary session to speak about the developments in the space sector and find solutions to the problems relating to space. The discussions will serve as an input to the European Space Agency (ESA) Council at ministerial level ‘On the road to Space 19+’,” Raivo Tamm said. Head of the Estonian delegation emphasised that Estonia wished to see the European space cooperation as strong, united and sustainable.
“Our country also has the opportunity to contribute to the developments in the space sector. We are known for our e-services and cyber security, which can be applied in the space sector. For example, encryption of data could be used in the space sector to ensure cyber security,” Tamm added.
This year, Germany holds the rotating chairmanship of the EISC. Estonia was the presiding country in 2017.
The European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC) was established in 1999. National parliaments of the member states of the European Union and/or of the European Space Agency that have created a parliamentary body dealing with space affairs are eligible for full membership. The organisation has 12 full members and one associate member.
Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the National Defence Committee are taking part in a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) conference in Helsinki today and tomorrow.
The head of the delegation, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the EU Foreign and Security Policy has reached a crucial breaking point. “Europeans must decide whether they wish to become a force that actually influences global trends, or congregate behind the smallest common denominator – concentrating on battles in defence of liberal democracy, which is coming under increasing pressure within the community itself,” Mihkelson said.
The fact that the next President of the European Commission, former German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen lacked the courage in her programmatic speech at the European Parliament to talk about the Neighbourhood Policy, massive foreign policy challenges, or the narrowing of the European value space, is a sign of the conjunctural and increasingly populist nature of politics at the highest level, in Mihkelson’s view.
“Europe does not need new leaders with fists of iron, instead they must have nerves of iron and ineradicable principles,” Mihkelson said. He added that from the foreign policy point of view, the most critical topic for the European Union over the upcoming months would be the situation around Ukraine, because the atmosphere is similar to Munich or Yalta.
The Chairman of the National Defence Committee Andres Metsoja explains that this format of meetings between the national defence and foreign affairs committees of national parliaments is important for providing a high level overview and having a say on EU foreign, security and defence policy.
“The conference topics are important and Estonia has experiences in hybrid threats that are worth sharing,” Metsoja said. “Another equally important thing is direct communication with our colleagues, to allow us to understand one another better both concerning the eastern and the southern activities of Europe.”
The opening topic concerns challenges in the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic. A presentation on this will be given by the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö. The outgoing High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini will take part by video bridge.
The afternoon session will focus on transatlantic unity in global relations, and on EU defence issues. On Friday, there will be discussions on political developments in the Western Balkans, preventing hybrid threats, political trends in the Middle East, as well as climate change, and safety.
The delegation includes members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Anti Poolamets and Raimond Kaljulaid, Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Kalle Laanet, and member of the Committee Ants Laaneots.
At the meeting of the Speakers of the Nordic and Baltic parliaments at the Arvo Pärt Centre at Laulasmaa today, the President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas said that our regional security was indivisible. Besides security, the Speakers of eight countries spoke of Eastern Partnership, the relations with Russia, and the fight against disinformation and influencing activities.
Põlluaas said that one of the main threats emanated from the deterioration of the global rule-based order. “Our political approach at international organisations must be united and systemic. We must continue to aspire to ensure collective activities within NATO, and European Union joint measures,” Põlluaas said to his colleagues. “We must unite our voice to demand that Moscow change its behaviour.”
Põlluaas said that Russia’s systematic destabilising and aggressive behaviour affected not only its neighbours but the whole Euro-Atlantic region. “In our bilateral approach we must keep the sanction regime on Russia in place until termination of aggression in eastern Ukraine, and at the same time improve ties with Russian society,” Põlluaas said. He expressed hope in further development of Nordic and Baltic cooperation, which should move from an exchange of information and ideas to coordination of common positions on topical issues.
At the meeting, the Latvian and Lithuanian Speakers pointed out the need to support Eastern Partnership countries more strongly, to involve them in joint activity, and to share our experiences in furthering democracy on mutual visits. The Speakers of the Nordic parliaments stressed the increasing importance of the environment and climate policy in shaping the policy and ensuring security in the region.
Countering information attacks and raising people’s awareness in recognising disinformation were also discussed. The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, and continuing close relations in the future, especially in foreign policy, defence and security, were also spoken of. With regard to all the issues discussed, the speakers stressed the need to continue cooperation with the help of digital solutions, besides meetings.
The Nordic-Baltic cooperation, or NB8, is a regional cooperation format that brings Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania around the same table. Iceland holds the NB8 presidency this year. Estonia will take over the presidency next year.
Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas hosts his Nordic and Baltic colleagues at the Arvo Pärt Centre at Laulasmaa. Regional security and hybrid threats will be discussed at the meeting.
Põlluaas believes that the cooperation between the eight countries is deeply rooted and fruitful. “We have chosen different paths in developing our defence policies and mechanisms, but our cooperation in security and defence is more active today than ever before,” Põlluaas said.
The President of the Riigikogu added that we still needed to enhance our cooperation, because the dynamics of global security changed rapidly and the developments taking place everywhere on our planet would sooner or later have an impact on our region.
The agenda of the annual conference of the Nordic and Baltic Speakers also includes fighting against false information and other influencing activities. Eastern Partnership issues and reinstatement of the rights of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will also be spoken about.
The Speakers will also discuss the exiting of the United Kingdom from the European Union and further developments.
The Nordic-Baltic cooperation, or NB8, is a regional cooperation format that has been bringing Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania around the same table since 1992. This year, the presiding country of NB8 is Iceland. In 2020, Estonia will become the presiding country.
NordenBladet —At today’s extraordinary sitting, the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, which was submitted by 44 members of the Riigikogu. The motion of no confidence was not supported. 40 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour and 55 were against. The support of at least 51 members of the Riigikogu was needed to express no confidence.
Kaja Kallas(Estonian Reform Party) justified the submission of the motion of no confidence. “Jüri Ratas seems to be a nice person. I believe most of us are ready to sign such a statement. But today’s vote of no confidence is not about whether we like Jüri Ratas or not. We submitted the motion of no confidence because Jüri Ratas as the Prime Minister is responsible for what is taking place in our country,” Kaja Kallas said.
Kallas explained that Estonia had always wanted to be an equal among equals on the world arena, and we had made a success of it. “It can be said that the Prime Minister is not responsible for the signs and sayings made by the ministers of his government that have resulted in damaging the international reputation of Estonia. The Prime Minister has not made those signs. The Prime Minister is respectful. But we know that this does not count. Outside Estonia, it is the Government as a whole who gives a face to Estonia, and that face is no longer clean,” Kallas said. She presented an overview of the assessments from international media on the impression Estonia had left during the current Government.
Kallas analysed and evaluated different aspects of the activities of Ratas’s government and the sayings of its ministers. “We all know that the original source of the problems of this Government is the Estonian Conservative People’s Party, but what makes us worry is that the word of the Prime Minister does not count in this Government and the position of the Conservative Party always prevails. After the Government took office, the Prime Minister has said already 14 times that the behaviour of the Ministers of the Government was unacceptable, improper and must not be repeated. But still we see that the reproachable behaviour is repeated,” Kallas said.
“If there were single cases of breaches or misconduct, resigning of a specific minister could be requested. As these incidents repeat practically from week to week, it can take place only with the approval of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister who allows breaking up of Estonia is responsible for it even when it does not happen as a result of his active deeds but his passive onlooking,” Kallas added.
Prime Minister Jüri Ratas explained his activities as the head of government. “It has always been important for me as a politician and as the Prime Minister that we should be able to unite Estonia, to bridge the gaps in the society and to increase the bond between all of us. Over long years, several contradictions have emerged and existed in our society, regardless of our best wishes. Therefore I have said that the prime minister has to be the prime minister for all people of Estonia, not only for his or her supporters or voters.
Ratas denied the allegations that Estonia did not have a functioning government, and gave examples of decisions that had been passed. “For example, we agreed upon the necessary investments for improving the working conditions of the National Library and the National Archives and starting the construction of the new building for the Estonian Public Broadcasting. We also decided to contribute to modernising the regional centres of the Police and Border Guard Board and renovating the buildings of the Rescue Board brigades. Besides that, we allocated resources for the construction of state service bureaus in order to gather the services provided to the local population conveniently under one roof,” Ratas said. He added some more examples of the decisions adopted by the Government, which were important in his opinion.
“I understand that this coalition does not seem easy for many. I can assure you that we have had many difficult moments between the coalition partners,” Ratas admitted. In his opinion, there may be such moments in all governments. “It certainly is not easy to come from the opposition with little experience to the government. At the same time, I can feel every day that there is enough will between the partners to cooperate and find common ground. It strengthens my faith that dignified words and serious actions will stand out more than mistakes and miscalculations,” Ratas said.
Ratas also answered the questions from members of the Riigikogu.
During the debate, Indrek Saar (Social Democratic Party), Kaja Kallas (Reform Party), Siim Pohlak (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Kadri Simson (Centre Party) and Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa).
NordenBladet —The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) held its sitting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. They were given an overview of the draft of “Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030”, which will be discussed at the coming Autumn Session of the Riigikogu.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa thinks that the principles of the Foreign Policy Development Plan are ambitious. In his opinion, it is a positive trend that the connections with other agencies are clearly set out in the development plan. Eesmaa said that the discussions would continue at tomorrow’s sitting of the Committee, and the Committee planned to analyse all chapters of the Development Plan separately.
Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that today’s sitting had been an introduction to the discussion that would take place in the Riigikogu. He added that the Development Plan had to be backed by a strong political consensus, and that the political forces represented in the Riigikogu had the opportunity to submit their proposals through the Foreign Affairs Committee during the legislative proceedings. He also said that he was happy that the topics which had been discussed by the Foreign Affairs Committee for years, like foreign economic policy and strengthening of foreign service, had been taken into account in drafting the Development Plan.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu told the Committee that the process of drawing up the Development Plan had taken a long time, and various institutions and interest groups had been involved in mapping the trends of the future. In the opinion of the Minister, the Foreign Policy Development Plan is realistic and related to the practical activities of the coming years. This is the first time a development plan of this kind has been composed. He hoped there would be a serious debate on the document in the Parliament.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rainer Saks gave the Committee an overview of the draft Development Plan. He underlined that the foreign policy objectives would be implemented through three central actions. In addition to foreign trade and ensuring of security, he pointed out the increasing involvement of Estonians living abroad and effective consular services as a new important initiative.
The draft “Foreign Policy Development Plan 2030”, initiated by the Government of the Republic and accepted for debate by a resolution of the Board of the Riigikogu in the middle of August, puts stronger emphasis on bilateral regional relations than set out in earlier strategies. Cyber issues and greater cohesion of foreign policy and foreign relations have also been added to the area of administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The general objectives of the Development Plan are a strong foreign service and the growth of Estonia’s reputation and influence.
NordenBladet —Head of the Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly, Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Aadu Must and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa attend the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way in Riga.
“The Baltic Way, whose 30th anniversary we are celebrating today, was a wonderful thing! It changed every one of us, as well as the world around us,” Must said. “It made us all understand that our three nations – Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians – are not alone in their desire for freedom, and that together we are much, much stronger. The world also learned that the freedom of the three Baltic states was something everyone in our countries desired. People in different countries of the world sympathised with the Baltic Way,”
Must emphasised that the values of the Baltic Way were carried forward among others by the Baltic Assembly, which united the three Baltic Parliaments, because there was more energy in doing things together and it gave better result.
Eesmaa recalled that 30 years ago the people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania stood side by side and hand in hand, forming a human chain from Tallinn to Vilnius. “The striving for freedom and right to self-determination of the three nations and their belief in democracy bore fruit,” said Eesmaa.
In Eesmaa’s opinion, this is a living memory of the past, and we will never forget the support of the international community to the Baltic States. “Now we are ready to share our experience with those who are about to make or have already made similar decisions on the development of their countries,” Eesmaa said, keeping in mind first of all the Eastern Partnership countries Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.
The members of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly and the Prime Ministers of the Baltic States meet in Latvia today. A festive ceremony will be held at the Freedom Monument in Riga, an exhibition on the Baltic Way can be viewed at the Freedom Square, and a room dedicated to the Baltic Way will be opened in the Latvian Parliament. The evening will culminate in a concert, where essays by Winners of the Baltic Assembly Prize in Literature Māris Bērziņš (Latvia), Hasso Krull (Estonia) and Vladas Bražiūnas (Lithuania) will be read out.
NordenBladet —President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas met with Vice-President of India Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu today. They discussed e-governance and intensifying of bilateral parliamentary cooperation.
“The excellent relations between Estonia and India have become closer in recent years,” Põlluaas emphasised. He said that although Estonia and India were different, they still had very many common interests. Among other things, he mentioned international cooperation to combat terrorism in the changed security situation.
Speaking of practical cooperation, Põlluaas said that Estonia was ready to share its experience and know-how in building up digital governance. Estonia is also looking for more possibilities for cooperation in higher education, business diplomacy and promoting tourism between the two countries.
Reform of the United Nations Security Council was also spoken about at the meeting, and both sides expressed hope for good cooperation. Estonia is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2020–2021. If India is elected, we will have the possibility to cooperate in 2021.
President of the Riigikogu called on India to open its embassy in Tallinn.
Põlluaas congratulated India on its Independence Day, which was celebrated on 15 August. Vice-President of India Naidu congratulated Estonia on the Restoration of Independence Day yesterday. He acknowledged the development of Estonia and said that both countries should share their best practices.
Vice-President of India invited the President of the Riigikogu to visit India.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa and Chairman of the Estonia-India Parliamentary Group Sven Sester also participated in the meeting. Sester underlined the long-time excellent cooperation of the Estonia-India Parliamentary Group of the Riigikogu with the representatives of the Indian Embassy.