NordenBladet —Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas attends the 4th Summit of Speakers of Central and Eastern European Parliaments, which will focus on the discussions about the security of the region.
Activities of countries in fighting against terrorism and ensuring cyber security will be spoken about at the meeting, as well as Russia’s aggressive behaviour towards its neighbours and military intervention in Georgia, Ukraine and Syria.
The issues relating to economic cooperation, development of relations with the United States of America and current political topics in the European Union, including the national identity of states, are also on the agenda.
Today, Põlluaas will also meet with Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Marek Kuchciński to discuss the bilateral relations between Estonia and Poland, cooperation in the European Union and in the international politics.
One of the main themes of the summit is the common history of the Central and East European Countries and the Baltic States. The political processes of the end of the 1980s, during the transition from totalitarianism to democracy, and later developments on the region in the 1990s and the first two decades of the 21st century will be discussed.
Delegations from 19 countries participate in the two-day summit. Besides the European Union member states, the delegations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Serbia and Turkey also attend the summit.
NordenBladet —President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas said at the flag raising ceremony in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea in the morning of the 135th anniversary of the national flag of Estonia that the blue-black-white flag had become an integral part of our nation, our identity and our independence. He added that it was a link that tied the previous and the next generations together.
“The Estonian flag is our symbol that was carried by the previous and will be carried by the next generations, and which means freedom, independence and aspirations to survive in this world,” Henn Põlluaas emphasised.
“The Estonian flag embodies faith, hope and love. Faith in our people, our independence, our strength and will. Hope for survival and for the bright future. Love for our country and for all,” the President of the Riigikogu said.
In his speech, Põlluaas also pointed out that this year marked several anniversaries. “Besides the 135th anniversary of our national flag, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the work of the Estonian Parliament, and the first All-Estonian Song Festival took place 150 years ago,” he said. The President of the Riigikogu also recalled that thirty years passed from the Baltic Way and the day the blue, black and white flag was again raised at the Tall Hermann Tower after long years.
“Let us keep this flag and these colours in our hearts, and never let this flag fall,” Põlluaas said.
The Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association thanked the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation, the Institute of the Estonian Language and Gustav Adolf Grammar School, giving them ceremonial flags.
The Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation was awarded the flag on the occasion of the anniversary year of the song and dance celebration, and the Institute of the Estonian Language on the occasion of the Estonian Language Year. Gustav Adolf Grammar School was awarded the flag for active participation in the events organised by the Estonian Flag Association.
Chairman of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei also delivered a speech at the flag raising ceremony. Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said the words of blessing.
Head of the Denmark Society Erik Fage-Pedersen greeted Estonia on its National Flag Day. This year, we mark the 135th anniversary of the national flag of Estonia and the 800th anniversary of the national flag of Denmark.
The honour guards of the Defence League, Women’s Home Defence, Young Eagles, Home Daughters, Scouts, Guides and academic organisations, and the flag hoisting units of societies, associations, and schools attended the flag raising ceremony in the Governor’s Garden. The orchestra of the Defence Forces, and the choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society and the schools of Tallinn performed at the ceremony.
From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Tall Hermann Tower will be open for visiting. In order to ensure smooth entrance, visitors will be given free tickets indicating the time for entrance to the tower.
Tomorrow, on 4 June 2019, the blue, black and white flag of Estonia will be 135 years old. On this occasion, the Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association invite everybody to the ceremony of raising the national flag of Estonia at 7 a.m. in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea, at the foot of the Tall Hermann Tower. In the afternoon, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Tall Hermann Tower will be open for visiting.
The national anthem of the Republic of Estonia will be performed when the flag is raised. The flag raising team is made up of the representatives of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration Foundation, the Institute of the Estonian Language, and Gustav Adolf Grammar School.
President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas and Chairman of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei will speak at the ceremony. Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma will say the words of blessing.
Head of the Danish Flag Society Erik Fage-Pedersen will greet Estonia on the occasion of its National Flag Day. This year, we mark the 135th anniversary of the national flag of Estonia and the 800th anniversary of the national flag of Denmark.
The honour guards of the Defence League, Women’s Home Defence, Young Eagles, Home Daughters, Scouts, Guides and academic organisations, and the flag hoisting units of societies, associations, and schools will attend the flag raising ceremony in the Governor’s Garden.
The orchestra of the Defence Forces, and the choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society and the schools of Tallinn will perform at the ceremony. The choirs will sing “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit” (“God Save Estonia”, music by Juhan Aavik, words by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp) and “Eesti lipp” (“Flag of Estonia”, music by Enn Võrk, words by Martin Lipp).
From 3 p.m., the Tall Hermann Tower will be opened for visiting. In order to ensure smooth entrance, visitors will be given free tickets indicating the time for entrance to the tower.
The National Flag Day is celebrated on the anniversary of consecration of the blue-black-and-white flag of the Estonian Students’ Society. The first blue-black-and-white flag was made in spring 1884, and was blessed and consecrated at Otepää parsonage on 4 June. This year we celebrate the 135th anniversary of the consecration of our blue-black-and-white flag.
NordenBladet —Today, Vice-President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Siim Kallas, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa and member of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly Johannes Kert participate in the Eastern Partnership Conference of the Baltic Assembly in Vilnius.
The Conference will discuss the future of the Eastern Partnership programme, which was started ten years ago, and search for possibilities for harmonising and improving international cooperation. Besides that, the admission of potential new members is also one of the issues to be discussed.
Vice-President of the Riigikogu Siim Kallas said that one of the keywords of the conference was ‘near future’ – what the next decade would bring us, and how to set the right course in the name of better future and cooperation.
“During its first years of activity, the Eastern Partnership has proven its usefulness. It has helped adapt to new challenges and strengthened our mutually beneficial relations. Also, the impact of the programme on the development of the democracy, stability and security of the Eastern Partners cannot be underestimated,” Kallas added.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa said that the implementation of the reforms agreed on with the Eastern Partners would be the main goal in the coming years in order to ensure the positive impact and continuing success of the Partnership. Eesmaa emphasised the crucial role of civil society in achieving that.
Member of the Estonian Delegation to the Baltic Assembly Johannes Kert thinks it is necessary to support the Eastern Partners and to acknowledge their achievements in order to encourage them to continue with the reforms. “It is the role of the Baltic Assembly to help explain the needs and aims of the Eastern Partners to the Western countries and the Nordic States. Supporting the Eastern Partners is also important from the point of view of the security of the region, because countries sharing the same values are stronger when they are together,” Kert said. “Estonia has always supported and will continue to support the Eastern Partnership countries, sharing our experience and knowledge with them.”
Eastern Partnership is the cooperation programme of the European Union with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Its aim is to build up a more prosperous, stable and democratic region to bring the Eastern Partnership countries closer to the European Union.
In discussions on the future, the enlargement of the programme will also definitely be spoken about. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 43 per cent of the public support further enlargement of the European Union, while 45 per cent is against the admission of new countries.
NordenBladet —At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu passed unamended the Act on Amendments to the Estonian Defence Forces Organisation Act which the President of the Republic had refused to proclaim.
Renewed deliberation of the Act on Amendments to the Estonian Defence Forces Organisation Act (783 UA) was held in the Riigikogu. It extends the existing rights of the Defence Forces in checking the background persons, in order to verify their suitability to serve or be employed in the Defence Forces or to cooperate with the Defence Forces. According to the Act, the Defence Forces are able to perform acts to a wider extent than the verification against registers, and to use covert measures to ensure that the collection of information is covert, upon obtaining information needed for background check.
The President of the Republic refused to proclaim the Act on 7 March. According to the President’s opinion, the Act was in conflict with §§ 13, 26, 33 and 43 of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia.
During the debate, Hanno Pevkur (Reform Party), Jaak Madison (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Andres Metsoja (Isamaa) took the floor.
53 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Act without amendments and 31 voted against.
One Bill passed the first reading in the Riigikogu:
The Bill on Amendments to the Tobacco Act and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (9 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose two articles of the EU Tobacco Directive, on the basis of which a European-wide tracking and tracing system for tobacco products will be implemented to curb the black market in tobacco. The Bill with similar content was approved at the sitting of the Government on 6 December 2018. However, the second reading of the Bill in the Riigikogu was suspended at the wish of the Minister of Health and Labour.
In order to establish a traceability system, tobacco manufacturers and importers conclude data storage contracts for the purpose of hosting information related to products. Access to the data is important and must be ensured to the authority interested in the data (the Tax and Customs Board in Estonia) and the European Commission.
As part of the tracking and tracing system, a security feature simplifying the verification of whether or not a tobacco product is authentic will also be introduced for the sales package of tobacco products. In Estonia, tax stamp will be introduced as the security feature. It complies with the requirements of EU legislation and is at the same time the most convenient solution for tobacco manufacturers and importers. In the cases where no tax stamp is installed on a product (e.g. in duty-free shops), the security feature of the manufacturer will have to be installed on the product. The tobacco manufacturer or importer will develop it, taking into account the requirements of the law and EU legislation.
During the debate, Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) and Vilja Toomast (Reform Party) took the floor.
NordenBladet — Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas met with Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Moon Hee-sang and the delegation accompanying him.
At the beginning of the meeting, Põlluaas expressed his condolences to his colleague on the boat disaster in Hungary, in which citizens of South Korea lost their lives.
The meeting focused on the excellent relations and further cooperation between the two countries. “The cooperation between Estonia and the Republic of Korea is very good, and mutual interest is increasing,” Põlluaas said. In his opinion, there is potential for even closer cooperation at the level of the governments and the businesses. Põlluaas expressed hope that South Korea would be ready to open its market to Estonian food products. He added that there were several fields of activity where the two countries could be useful to one another.
Moon Hee-sang confirmed South Korea’s strong support to Estonia’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Both parties pointed out mutual interest in developing of research and new technologies. Moon Hee-sang said that Estonia was one of the most powerful digital countries, and an example to others with its e-governance solutions. Põlluaas invited South Korea to share with Estonia its experience in the 5G networks, where they are the global leader.
The colleagues also discussed reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Põlluaas expressed concern about the North Korean nuclear programme and missile tests, and reaffirmed Estonia’s readiness for full cooperation both in the European Union and in the United Nations to resolve the situation. Moon Hee-sang emphasised that the global community supported South Korea in this issue, and that the country was optimistic about the peace process.
Chair of the Estonia-Republic of Korea Parliamentary Group Urve Tiidus also participated in the meeting. She acknowledged the country’s investments into research and development. In her opinion, South Korea is the world leader in this field, and an example for all. Tiidus also said that she was happy that the Korean tourists had discovered Estonia. She expressed hope that the interest of Koreans in Estonia would grow after today’s visit.
NordenBladet —Tomorrow, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas hosts Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Moon Hee-sang and the delegation accompanying him.
Põlluaas will meet with Moon Hee-sang in the Riigikogu. Chair of the Estonia-Republic of Korea Parliamentary Group Urve Tiidus will also participate in the meeting. In the evening, the President of the Riigikogu will give a dinner in honour of the guest, which will be attended by members of the Riigikogu Sven Sester, Marko Mihkelson and Urve Tiidus.
During his visit to Estonia, Moon Hee-sang will meet with President Kersti Kaljulaid and Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart. The delegation will also visit the Estonian Open Air Museum.
From Estonia, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea will travel on to visit Latvia and Lithuania.
NordenBladet —The Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee, the Anti-Corruption Select Committee and the State Budget Control Select Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) elected their chairs and deputy chairs at the sittings of the committees today.
Alar Laneman is the Chairman and Hanno Pevkur is the Deputy Chairman of the Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee of the Riigikogu. Heiki Hepner, Kaido Höövelson and Ivari Padar are members of the Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee.
Katri Raik is the Chairperson and Marek Jürgenson is the Deputy Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee of the Riigikogu. Mart Nutt, Paul Puustusmaa and Andres Sutt are members of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee.
Jürgen Ligi is the Chairman and Martin Repinski is the Deputy Chairman of the State Budget Control Select Committee of the Riigikogu. Peeter Ernits, Aivar Kokk and Kalvi Kõva are members of the State Budget Control Select Committee.
NordenBladet —At its sitting today, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) decided to submit the Bill on the Approval of the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of North Macedonia to the plenary sitting.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa pointed out that North Macedonia was one of the four countries, besides Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Ukraine, that had set accession to NATO as their important foreign policy target. “NATO continues its open door policy, and North Macedonia’s success story is a good example to others who strive to become members of the Alliance,” Eesmaa emphasised.
Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson believes that North Macedonia’s accession to NATO will enhance the security of the organisation and its member states, and improve the foreign policy situation because it will increase security and stability in Europe. “When the protocol enters into force, Estonia commits to defend North Macedonia, and North Macedonia will commit to defend Estonia,” Mihkelson emphasised.
The defence spending of North Macedonia forms 0.96 per cent of its GDP, but their government aims to reach the target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence by 2024.
The naming dispute with Greece, which hindered the accession of North Macedonia to NATO for a long time, was resolved at the beginning of this year, and “the Republic of North Macedonia” became the new official name of the country.
North Macedonia will become the 30th member of NATO after all current NATO member states have approved the protocol on accession according to their national law. Considering the earlier practice, the approval process may take several years. Greece was the first NATO member state to ratify the protocol on 8 February this year.
NordenBladet —On the open House Day of the Riigikogu, the Parliament of Estonia, nearly 3000 people came to Toompea to visit the Riigikogu, learn about the work of the Parliament, meet the politicians and see the rooms they work in. The most popular activities were guided tours of the Riigikogu and visits to the Tall Hermann Tower. The representative rooms and working rooms of the Riigikogu were open all day. All factions also opened their doors, and it was possible to meet the MPs.
Many visitors came from foreign countries, like Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Riigikogu Open House Day began with a welcome concert by mixed choir HUIK! on the balcony of Toompea Castle, after that, President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas greeted the visitors in the courtyard of the Castle.
At Question Time at noon, it was possible to pose questions to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, Minister of the Interior Mart Helme and Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu.
Kaido Höövelson, Marina Kaljurand, Kai Rimmel, Andres Sutt and Raivo Tamm, who had been elected to the Riigikogu for the first time, exchanged ideas at a discussion in the café. They were interviewed by Member of the Parliament Enn Eesmaa.
Two teams from the Riigikogu and five school teams participated in the traditional quiz of the Open House Day. This year, the topic of the quiz was “Riigikogu 100”. The team Riigikogu I, which consisted of member of the Riigikogu Urmas Espenberg and Advisers of the Legal and Research Department Toivo Mängel and Triinu Põdramägi and Adviser, Head of Secretariat of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu Kristo Varend, won the quiz. Tallinn Technical Gymnasium team was the best school team.
To celebrate the Estonian Language Year, actors of NUKU Theatre Anti Kobin and Taavi Tõnisson read stories from the treasury of the Estonian children’s literature in the Children’s Room. The National Library of Estonia and Tallinn Central Library attended with a pop-up library. There were reading nests and different workshops for children, including the workshop Priuse Piddo (Festival of Freedom) of the Estonian Theatre and Music Museum. The year of the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration was celebrated by dancing with the dancers of the Folklore Society Leigarid.
The Open House Day ended with a Good Mood Concert of the little stars from Star Stage, led by singer Sissi.
With the Open House Day, the Riigikogu celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Estonia Theatre in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. The Riigikogu commemorates that event every year with the Open House Day.
In 2019, the Open House day was held on 25 May, because on that day 100 years ago, the Constituent Assembly moved from Estonia Theatre to Toompea.
The Open House Day tradition was introduced in 1999.