ESTONIA

Hussar spoke of the enlargement of the European Union and security with the President of Albania

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At the meeting, Hussar said that Estonia and Albania were like-minded countries and had excellent cooperation, but it could be tightened even more. President of the Riigikogu confirmed that Estonia was one of the major supporters of the enlargement of the European Union because Estonia could see how much its accession to the EU and NATO had helped it. “We are happy to offer our support and to share our 20-year experience. We know how much work it took to accede to the European Union and to be a member in the first years.”

Security and support to Ukraine was also in focus at the meeting. The parties admitted that countries needed to cooperate and to support Ukraine unwaveringly so that Russia’s war would end in Ukraine’s victory. “We must convince our partners and do everything in our power to support Ukraine. This is necessary not just for Ukraine but for us as well,” Hussar said. The President of Albania pointed out that supporting Ukraine was not alms but an investment in Europe’s security.

The situation in the Western Balkans was also discussed at the meeting. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson also participated in the meeting, besides Hussar.

This morning, the President of Albania also met with the President of Estonia Alar Karis and laid flowers at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism at Maarjamäe in Tallinn. During his visit, he will also meet with Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and Mayor of Tallinn Jevgeni Ossinovski. The President will also visit the Estonian e-Governance Academy and the cyber security training centre CR14.

Tomorrow, the Albanian head of state and his wife Armanda Begaj will be in Tartu where they will meet with Mayor Urmas Klaas and visit Tartu University Hospital, the Baltic Defence College, and Tartu Art Museum.

Photos (Author: Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar spoke of the enlargement of the European Union and security with the President of Albania

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Estonian Division artillery battalion, together with the US HIMARS contingent, visited the Finnish counterpart

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —Last week, Estonian, Finnish and US Artillerymen met at the Satakunta Artillery Regiment in Niinisalo, Finland, to discuss near future and long term cooperation possibilities. “As our firing ranges increase, we may find ourselves in a situation where we have to share targets with our northern neighbours if necessary. Therefore, …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Hussar is taking part in the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Forum will last from Friday to Sunday, including discussions on the security situation in Europe, results of NATO Summit and European Parliament elections, support for Ukraine, US presidential elections, situation in the Middle East, EU enlargement, energy security, and innovation. The 19th Forum emphasises the increasing importance of Central and Eastern Europe in ensuring global stability.

Tonight, Hussar will take part in a panel discussion on the main stage about the state of democracy in Europe. Hussar will be joined in the panel by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Markéta Pekarová Adamová, the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Szymon Hołownia, and the Speaker of the Romanian Senate Nicolae Ciucă. Hussar will also have a meeting with the Czech Speaker to discuss cooperation between the two countries as well as continued support to Ukraine.

GLOBSEC is a think tank based in Bratislava, Slovakia; its 2024 Forum will bring together around 1,500 participants from 70 countries. These include major public opinion leaders in European foreign and security policy: heads of state, entrepreneurs, as well as representatives of international organisations, think tanks, and academia.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar is taking part in the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague

Source: Parliament of Estonia

President of the Riigikogu: We need to do our utmost to secure international order

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The President of the Riigikogu evoked the fact that once upon a time Estonia and other Eastern and Central European nations had fallen victims to the murderous deal between Stalin and Hitler, and that without the criminal Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact the tragic deportations would never have happened. Standing at the cenotaph to victims of communism, Hussar said that seeing the name of an ancestor who had been butchered by the red terror carved in the black marble served to alleviate and relieve the grief.

“The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact has been condemned by both the European Parliament and the United States Congress, but I would like to also give credit to those who risked their lives on the Moscow side of the iron curtain to convey information on the national continuity of Estonia under the conditions of occupation,” Hussar said. “This was a constant struggle that eventually united us with the Latvians and Lithuanians —who shared our fate— into the Baltic Way, which was unprecedented in its time and where hundreds of thousands of people demanded an end to the injustice. Ultimately, this took us to our destination.”

Talking about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Hussar said that the Ukrainian nation and armed forces were exerting themselves to defend their independence and sovereignty. “We need to do our utmost to secure democracy and international order, and Ukraine must win and liberate all its territories,” he stressed. “Our determination can help Ukraine gain the victory. This in turn would create a window of opportunities for the birth of democracy in Russia.”

The Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta, British Ambassador Ross Allen, and representatives of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory and the Estonian Association of Illegally Repressed Persons MEMENTO also spoke at the ceremony in the garden of the Memorial. The programme included a performance by singer Mari Jürjens and a memorial prayer.

The President of the Riigikogu laid a wreath in memory of the victims of totalitarian regimes on behalf of the Estonian nation.

Speech by the President of the Riigikogu (in Estonian)
Photos (Author: Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Video message by the Speakers of Baltic parliaments

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu: We need to do our utmost to secure international order

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The speakers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania send their greetings on the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Lauri Hussar
The President of the Riigikogu

The Baltic Way is the pre-eminent landmark in the cooperation between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It is a mark that defines our values and our aspirations. The Baltic Way also spelled out the importance of restoring the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen
The Speaker of the Seimas

The experience of the Baltic Way  is particularly relevant today, as the empire from which we once broke free is threatening to invade our lives again. The potential threats cannot be ignored, we must assess them realistically and prepare accordingly. It is once again important to join hands and to stand as a living, impregnable wall that no aggressor can overcome. As long as we stand together, as we did back then on the Baltic Way, we are invincible.

Daiga Mieriņa
The Speaker of the Saeima

Thirty-five years ago, two million people joined hands to form a human chain stretching from Toompea Castle in Estonia, along the Freedom Monument in Riga, to the Gediminas Tower in Vilnius. We, the Baltic States, succeeded in regaining our freedom. However, freedom is never simply given; it must be secured and protected.

Link uudisele: The speakers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania send their greetings on the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar is meeting his Nordic and Baltic colleagues in Latvia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Speakers talk about offering the broadest possible support to Ukraine, including in the accession process to the European Union. In light of the ongoing Russian aggression, the Speakers discuss imposing and strengthening sanctions, enhancing defence and deterrence in the Nordic and Baltic region, and handling cyberattacks. All this is viewed from the perspective of the role of parliaments in carrying out these actions.

The Speakers also explore the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in parliamentary work and in international security, as well as developing cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic parliaments both within the region and with other countries.

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Baltic Way, the Speakers will take part in the flower laying ceremony at the Freedom monument in Riga on Friday.

Nordic-Baltic cooperation, or NB8, has been bringing Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania around the same table since 1992. The first meeting of the NB8 Speakers took place in 1997 in Karlskrona, Sweden.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar is meeting his Nordic and Baltic colleagues in Latvia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

A new rotation of instructors from the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League began training Ukrainians in the United Kingdom.

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —This week, the fourth rotation of instructors from the Estonian Defence Forces and the Estonian Defence League, who will support the training of Ukrainian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom, started as part of the Interflex training mission. “Ukraine’s permanent training support in the form of Interflex in cooperation with …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The 33rd anniversary of restoration of independence of the Republic of Estonia was celebrated at Toompea

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the beginning of the meeting, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar and Prime Minister Kristen Michal delivered the welcoming addresses to the August 20th Club. Member of the August 20 Club Enn Tupp gave the keynote speech. All these speeches recalled the events related to the restoration of Estonia’s independence.

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar presented his ideas and plans for the upcoming session of the Riigikogu to the distinguished audience. Hussar said that he wished to make the work of the Riigikogu as effective and meaningful as the decision made by the members of the Club 33 years ago had been.

Lauri Hussar also pointed out that Riigikogu should fix the flaws in legislation, which had been delayed for years, already during this season. As an example, he mentioned the presidential elections that would be held the next year, and the related concerns about the presidential election procedure. Hussar underlined that according to good practice, the rules of the game should be in place in good time, and therefore it was necessary to clear up all inconsistencies quickly.

“The members of the Riigikogu in corpore must understand the extent of their responsibility with regard to timely lawmaking. 30 years is too long for one simple correction,” said Hussar.

In his speech, Hussar pointed out that in a complicated international security situation, which in turn was aggravated by economic development problems, a small country like Estonia must do everything to protect its people, its statehood, and its culture.

“The best tool for achieving all this is a determined, well-functioning and forward-looking parliament,” the President of the Riigikogu said.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said in his address that the restoration of independence had posed many challenges for politicians and the people, and even 33 years later it was still necessary to stand for Estonia’s stability and development. “Today we can be proud of what we have already achieved – we are an open, democratic and modern country, and this very year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our accession to the European Union and NATO,” he said.

In his speech at the meeting, member to the August 20th Club Enn Tupp discussed being Estonian and being European with good-natured irony. “How and as who will we live in the future? Who is a citizen, who is a representative of a nation?” Tupp asked, among other things. It is easier to find an answer to this question if we look towards the future hopefully, as we did at the time of the restoration of independence.

President of the August 20th Club Ants Veetõusme chaired the meeting.

The August 20 Club, which was founded in 1994, unites the people who were elected to the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia in 1990, and voted for the Resolution to restore the independence of Estonia. 33 years ago, on 20 August 1991 at 11.03 p.m., the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia adopted the Resolution On the National Independence of Estonia, with 69 votes in favour.

On the occasion of the holiday, it was also possible to visit the Tall Hermann Tower. The blue, black and white flag symbolising the independence of the Republic of Estonia flies at the top of the tower.

Photos of the celebrations of the Restoration of Independence Day at Toompea (photographer Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu):

Please note: The photos will be uploaded with a delay.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The 33rd anniversary of restoration of independence of the Republic of Estonia was celebrated at Toompea

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Tall Hermann Tower will be open to visitors on 20 August

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Tall Hermann Tower will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The entrance to the tower is from the Governor’s Garden. In order to ensure smooth entrance, visitors will be distributed free tickets showing their time of entry to the tower. Tours will start every full and half hour. The tower is narrow, and therefore group sizes are limited.

The celebration of the Day of Restoration of Independence will begin at 11 a.m. with a memorial ceremony at the 20 August Memorial Stone at Toompea. Ants Veetõusme, President of the August 20th Club, will deliver a speech. President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar will lay flowers at the memorial stone on behalf of the Riigikogu. Prime Minister Kristen Michal will also attend the ceremony.

At noon, the August 20 Club will hold its traditional festive meeting in the White Hall of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar and Prime Minister Kristen Michal will deliver welcoming addresses. Member of the August 20 Club Enn Tupp will make a speech, in which he will discuss Estonia’s defence policy and the war in Ukraine.

The August 20 Club, founded in 1994, unites the people who were elected to the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia in 1990, and voted for the Resolution to restore the independence of Estonia.

33 years ago, on 20 August 1991 at 11.03 p.m., the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia adopted the Resolution On the National Independence of Estonia, with 69 votes in favour.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Tall Hermann Tower will be open to visitors on 20 August

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Estonia handed over the presidency of Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers to the Nordic countries.

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —Estonian reserve officers handed over the leadership of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) to the reservists of the Nordic countries at the organizations Summer Congress 2024 closing ceremony. “Our national defence is based on reserve units with combat training, but our reserve force is much more than that. …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

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