ESTONIA

Mihkelson in Kiev: we must defend Ukraine’s efforts to join the EU and NATO

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — The Head of the Estonian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Marko Mihkelson spoke at the high level Kyiv (Kiev) Security Forum, saying that without a strong strive for independence from the part of Ukraine, Estonia and many other Eastern European states would not be members of NATO today.

In his speech yesterday, Mihkelson stressed that the peaceful, democratic and yet politically unwavering decision of Ukraine to leave the Russian empire in 1991, and the consequent voluntary renunciation of nuclear weapons, opened the door for many European nations to secure their freedom and security through NATO membership.

“The impact of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence in 1991 can be compared to the fall of the Berlin Wall. This paved the way for the conclusive collapse of the Soviet empire, and the sovereignty of the Eastern European nations in the field of security,” Mihkelson said.

“Now it is up to us to do everything in our power to defend Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union and NATO. It is a marathon; but even the longest marathon has a finish line. Estonia must combine forces with its allies to point out the exact finish line to Ukraine,” Mihkelson said.

Other participants in the panel Joining forces to fight for freedom were Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, and Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Raimundas Karoblis.

The patron of the high level Security Forum is the former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Speakers of the forum included President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov, Minister of Justice Pavlo Petrenko, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, recent presidential candidate Anatoliy Hrytsenko, and many others. The Forum was launched in 2007.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

President of the Riigikogu and President of Latvia discussed regional cooperation

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — At the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Henn Põlluaas and President of the Republic of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis today, the discussion focused on regional cooperation and the excellent relations between the two countries.

Põlluaas said that Estonia and Latvia were good partners and cooperated closely in different fields of life. “We have similar history, our economic connections are strong, we have close cultural cooperation, and we are interested in having both closer digital cooperation and closer cross-border cooperation,” Põlluaas emphasised.

Põlluaas believes that Estonia and Latvia share common values also in strengthening of the security in the region and in NATO, which is proven by the establishment of NATO Multinational Division Headquarters North in Ādaži, where the command is comprised of officers from Denmark, Latvia and Estonia.

Public services in the border regions and possibilities for improving the cross-border cooperation between Estonia and Latvia, as well as regional connectivity were also spoken about at the meeting.

The President of Latvia congratulated the President of the Riigikogu on his appointment to office. He assured that Latvia was a good friend of Estonia, and agreed that there was much in common in the history and today’s cooperation of the two countries. Vējonis said that the cooperation between the three Baltic States was constantly developing, and it was very effective and necessary.

The President of Latvia was also interested in the forming of the Government of Estonia. The President of the Riigikogu gave an overview of the situation in Estonia after the elections, and expressed hope that in a few weeks, the new Government would assume office.

Chairman of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Group Aadu Must also participated in the meeting. He gave a brief overview of the parliamentary cooperation of the Baltic States and wished Latvia success in the Presidency of the Baltic Assembly.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

Mihhail Lotman took his oath of office before the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — At today’s plenary sitting of the Riigikogu, Member of the Riigikogu Mihhail Lotman took his oath of office. As the activity of this composition of the Riigikogu had just started, there were no documents to deliberate on the agenda.

After today’s sitting, the new Riigikogu began to form parliamentary groups and associations of the members of the Riigikogu.

The Board of the Riigikogu registers the membership of these groups and associations.

The Board of the Riigikogu registered the withdrawal of Raimond Kaljulaid from the membership of the Estonian Centre Party Faction.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

IPU Assembly focuses on education and gender equality

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — This week, the members of the Estonian Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) attend the 140th Assembly of the IPU, held in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The main topics discussed at the Assembly are democracy, peace, education and sustainable development.

Head of the Estonian Delegation Helmen Kütt said that the states had to cooperate so that everyone would be ensured rights and liberties – rights to personal freedom, security, education and equal treatment. “As long as there are countries and regions in the world where these fundamental values are not valued, or are ignored, the cooperation between parliaments has a crucial role in solving this issue,” Kütt added.

The Assembly also discusses the opportunities for encouraging women to participate in politics. “According to a recent IPU analysis, women form 18 per cent of the members of the parliaments in the Middle East and Africa. As recently as in 1995, only 4 per cent of the members of these representative bodies were women. The progress is obvious, but it is still not enough, and the Assembly is trying to find solutions, so that women would not be afraid of being involved in politics,” Kütt said.

Fight against terrorism, ensuring of human rights and investments in renewable energy are also spoken about at the Assembly.

The Estonian Delegation to the 140th Assembly of the IPU in Doha consists of Head of the Delegation Helmen Kütt and members of the Delegation Toomas Kivimägi and Marika Tuus-Laul.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the oldest and largest organisation of parliaments in the world. It was established 130 years ago, and has 178 member states from the entire world. Estonia was a member of the IPU in 1921–1940, and restored its membership after regaining independence in 1991.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

PACE Spring Session focuses on the Assembly’s future role

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — This week, the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) participates in the Spring Session (Second Part of the Ordinary Session) of PACE in Strasbourg, where the focus issues are the challenges faced by the PACE in the future, and hate speech as well as the role of political leaders in combating hate speech.

Another topic to be discussed at the Session is the creation of a new EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. Combating organised crime and money-laundering will also be spoken about. Besides that, strengthening co-operation with the UN and implementation of the sustainable development goals, and promoting of parliaments free of sexism and sexual harassment will be discussed.

“Which other organisation in Europe would stand for the values of the rule of law than the oldest international parliamentary assembly, the already 70 years old PACE? What would its creators, who emphasised the need to stand for common European values, think us? Noblesse oblige – nobility obliges,” Head of the Estonian Delegation to the PACE Marianne Mikko said.

Besides Marianne Mikko, members of the Estonian Delegation Andres Herkel and Tiit Terik participate in the PACE Spring Session.

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.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

Estonia celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Constituent Assembly elections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet — Today, the local governments celebrate the 100th anniversary of the elections of the first democratic representative body of the Republic of Estonia, the Constituent Assembly, in the places of birth of the deputies elected to the Constituent Assembly.

The eldest member of the 14th Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Enn Eesmaa invites everybody to participate in these events in their home counties. “Let us recall with gratitude the activities of those 120 men and women who laid the foundations of our state and adopted the first Constitution of the Republic of Estonia,” Eesmaa said.

The events will be held in the places of birth of all members of the Constituent Assembly, in 49 local governments. The places of birth of the 120 members of the Constituent Assembly are marked on the map that can be found on the home page of Estonia 100 (EV100).

More information about the events is available in the information channels of local governments.

Elections of the Constituent Assembly took place from 5 to7 April 1919 all over Estonia on the basis of a general and uniform right to vote by secret ballot on the principle of proportionality. All citizens of Estonia who were at least 20 years of age had the right to vote.

The task of the Constituent Assembly was to lay the foundations for the Estonian statehood, to adopt the Constitution and the Land Act. The Constituent Assembly acted as the national representative body and the legislative power of Estonia from 23 April 1919 until 20 December 1920.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

The new Board of the Riigikogu emphasised the importance of the parliament

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet — The newly elected members of the Board Henn Põlluaas, Helir-Valdor Seeder, and Siim Kallas held a press conference after the opening sitting of the 14th Riigikogu, stressing the importance of parliamentary democracy.

The President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas reflected that the new Riigikogu is assuming office in a politically fraught situation, but that this is a sign of democracy. Põlluaas explained that the Riigikogu must stand for the interests of the Estonian sovereignty, democracy, freedom of speech, and the people. The President expressed his conviction that the new Riigikogu and the new Board will fulfil their tasks with flying colours.

Vice-President Helir-Valdor Seeder declared himself a firm believer in democracy, and named improving the authority of the parliament as a working goal. The Vice-President called for a better balance between the legislative and the executive powers. Seeder added that debates should remain within the wall of the Riigikogu and politics should spill less out onto the streets.

Vice-President Siim Kallas called the parliament and the government two sides of a single coin. Kallas promised that the newly elected Board of the Riigikogu will do everything in its power to make sure the parliament has a worthy and weighty place in the democratic decision making process in Estonia. The Vice-Chairman said that the Board has a number of ideas on how to achieve this.

Video of the press conference of the new Board of the Riigikogu.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

The 14th Riigikogu held its opening sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet  – At the opening sitting of the new Riigikogu, Henn Põlluaas was elected the President of the Riigikogu, and Helir-Valdor Seeder and Siim Kallas were elected the Vice-Presidents.

The President of the Republic Kersti Kaljulaid opened the first sitting and also made a speech.

Kaljulaid presented her recommendations to the new Riigikogu. “Let us keep what we have and speak honestly about what to do better from now on by building, not by tearing down. Let us recognise our success as an e-state. We are proud of our role in the European Union and NATO, not merely as a member but as an active and dutiful contributor. Let us recognise and thank all those Estonian politicians who have led us so far. But let us also be honest about how to improve the functioning of society,” the President said.

“Today, the 14th composition of the Riigikogu commences work. Everyone who is here is here as a result of democratic processes. Estonia’s democracy works. Still, we should ask why, a month after the elections, a large portion of the people feel as if something has been broken in our society. Certain agreed limits no longer seem applicable. It is not a matter of world views but often of elementary politeness and respect. Of respect towards each other and the people,” Kaljulaid noted.

Then the members of the Riigikogu took their oath of office. The eldest member of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa read aloud the text of the oath.

After the members of the Riigikogu began to perform their duties, the elections of the Board of the Riigikogu were held, which were organised by Meelis Eerik, Chairman of the National Electoral Committee.

Member of the Riigikogu Martin Helme nominated Henn Põlluaas as a candidate for the President of the Riigikogu, and member of the Riigikogu Jevgeni Ossinovski nominated Sven Mikser.

100 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Henn Põlluaas, who was elected the President of the Riigikogu, and 45 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Sven Mikser.

Member of the Riigikogu Aivar Kokk nominated Helir-Valdor Seeder as a candidate for a Vice-President, and Member of the Riigikogu Jürgen Ligi nominated Siim Kallas.

100 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Helir-Valdor Seeder, and 44 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Siim Kallas. One ballot paper was invalid. Thus, Helir-Valdor Seeder was elected the First Vice-President of the Riigikogu and Siim Kallas was elected the Second Vice-President.

After the election of the Board of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas announced the resignation of the Government in accordance with the Constitution.

At the festive opening sitting of the new Riigikogu, Ellerhein Girls’ Choir conducted by Ingrid Kõrvits performed.

 

Source: Parliament of Estonia

 

New Riigikogu holds its opening sitting on 4 April

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

On Thursday, 4 April at 11 a.m., the 14th Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) will hold its opening sitting and elect the Board.

President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid will deliver the opening speech. Members of the Riigikogu sign the oath of office, which will be read out by the oldest member of the Parliament Enn Eesmaa.

The Riigikogu elects the President of the Riigikogu and two Vice Presidents from among its members.

Pursuant to the Constitution of Estonia, after the election of the Board of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Jüri Ratas announces the resignation of the Government of the Republic.

Ellerhein Girls’ Choir, conducted by Ingrid Kõrvits, will perform at the festive opening sitting of the Riigikogu.

Dear members of the press,

You are kindly invited to attend the opening sitting of the Riigikogu and the press conference of the new Board, which will be held 15 minutes after the end of the sitting in Room L240 (next to the White Hall).

Journalists wishing to cover the opening sitting and attend the press conference are asked to register by 12 o’clock on 3 April at the latest on the web page of the Riigikogu.

Please note that the permanent accreditations of the Riigikogu are not valid on the day of the opening sitting. Unregistered representatives of media publications are not allowed entrance to the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
+372 631 6356, +372 515 3903
epp-mare.kukemelk@riigikogu.ee 
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Members of the Riigikogu observe presidential elections in Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Members of the Estonian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly are in Ukraine to observe the presidential elections held on Sunday.

Head of the Estonian delegation Mart Nutt said that the situation in Ukraine was unpredictable and most probably the President would not be elected in the first round of the elections. In that case, a second round will be held on 21 April. Three candidates, Volodymyr Zelensky, who is the leading candidate, incumbent president Petro Poroshenko and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, have a real chance of progressing to the second round of voting.

Nutt added that the President of Ukraine was elected directly, and as Ukraine was a semi-presidential republic, its president had relatively extensive powers. “Election of the president may make Ukrainian-Russian relations tenser. The relations between Estonia and Ukraine are good, and the presidential elections probably will not have any impact on them,” Nutt said.

The presidential elections in Ukraine are also observed by members of the Estonian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Jaanus Marrandi and Mati Raidma. The members of the Estonian delegation will be staying in the capital of Ukraine Kiev and its surroundings.

Deploying of election observation missions has been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and according to democratic standards. Nearly 110 observers participate in the OSCE mission in Ukraine.

Riigikogu Press Service
Veiko Pesur
phone: +372 631 6353, 372 55 590 595
e-mail: veiko.pesur@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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