ESTONIA

Riigikogu rejected one Bill

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu rejected the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to lower the VAT on food to 5 per cent” (492 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Group. The Draft proposed lowering the VAT on food to five percent, as it is becoming increasingly expensive, in order to make food and consumer goods more affordable to people with lower incomes and help them cope. The presenters explained that Estonia was one of the few EU Member States that did not apply reduced VAT rates to food.

During the debate, Lauri Laats from the Centre Party Group and Helle-Moonika Helme from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group took the floor.

At the final vote, 15 members of the Riigikogu supported the Draft Resolution. A majority vote, i.e. at least 51 votes, would have been needed for the Resolution to pass.

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act (453 SE), initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, was deferred from the agenda due to the absence of the presenter. The purpose of the Bill is to include Easter Monday among public holidays and to give additional days of rest for national days or public holidays that fall on a weekend.

Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Riigikogu committee of investigation to investigate the facts relating to  the Rail Baltic project” (460 OE), submitted by the Centre Party Group, was adjourned due to the end of the working hours. The purpose of the Draft is to form a parliamentary committee of investigation to check whether the Rail Baltic project conforms to the agreement ratified in 2017, to determine the actual total budget and implementation schedule, the options for financing from external funds, and the volume of cost-sharing. The Committee would also determine whether the possible risks have been taken into account with due diligence in the management and implementation of the project and investigate why the coordination of the project between the Baltic states has failed so far.

Anti Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart from the Centre Party Group took the floor during the debate. Jaak Aab made a speech on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group.

The Constitutional Committee moved to reject the Bill but there was no time to put the motion to vote due to the end of the working hours. The proceeding of the Bill will continue next week.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording of the speech is available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Riigikogu rejected one Bill

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairs of European parliamentary committees demand international investigation of elections in Georgia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairs of committees from the parliaments of 18 countries and the European Parliament expressed regret at Georgia’s democratic backsliding, including the enactment of anti-European legislation limiting the space for independent civil society organizations and human rights. They were also concerned about the fact that the parliamentary elections held in Georgia on 26 October were marked with an unprecedented number of incidents and systemic violations, which were reported by international observers. The chairs of committees note that integrity of elections and upholding the rule of law are an integral part and fundamentals of the European values to which Georgia as an EU candidate country has to demonstrate its commitment.

The parliamentarians underline that that all allegations of electoral manipulation, especially with regard to voter intimidation and vote buying must be transparently investigated. They point out that, as the allegations at hand are so serious, only an independent international inquiry can address and investigate these elections and all reported violations in the pre-electoral period and during the elections.

The chairs of committees requested that the Georgian authorities make the voting protocols available and publicly transparent, so that each voter can verify if the information on their voting fact, time and place is factually accurate. They also demand repealing of the legislation that undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms of Georgian citizens and organizations and runs counter to the values and principles upon which the EU is founded.

The chairs of parliamentary committees also call on the European Union and the trans-Atlantic allies to impose sanctions on the officials and political leaders, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, who are responsible for violations of the electoral process in Georgia. They call on the freezing of all EU funds engaged in assistance and cooperation projects with the state and public institutions of Georgia with the exception of those dedicated to the supporting of civil society and the establishment of rule of law structures.

“At the same time, we call international partners to increase financial assistance to Georgia’s civil society and independent media, based on respect for democracy and the rule of law,” they said, and called on reviewing the visa liberalization regime with Georgia without excluding the possibility of its full suspension if the above listed conditions are not met.

The chairs of committees reiterated that they will continue standing with the Georgian people and their European choice. “We will also continue supporting unwaveringly Georgia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally established borders,” they stated.

30 chairs and members of committees from the European Parliament and the parliaments of Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine signed the Joint Statement.

Joint Statement in Estonian and in English

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Chairs of European parliamentary committees demand international investigation of elections in Georgia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Estonian Navy, Together with Allies, Hunts for Historical Explosives in Estonian Waters

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —On October 4th, the Estonian Navy, together with NATO’s Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1), began a ten-day mine clearance operation in Estonian waters. During this operation, the Estonian Navy will search for, identify, and neutralize historical explosives in Pärnu Bay and the southern part of Väinameri. “Mine clearance …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

French Land Forces Generals visit Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —French Army deputy chief of staff operations major general Wallaert and French deputy commander of Land Forces Command in Europe brigadier general Guillot are visiting French troops in Estonia and meeting the Commander of the Estonian Division major general Indrek Sirel. “The French Armed Forces are engaged in Estonia within …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Raidma and Pikhof observe the US presidential elections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“Observation of elections by the OSCE will help assess whether the elections are conducted as transparently as possible so that citizens can trust the election results. Taking into account that the elections are close, the reliability of results is especially important,” Head of the Estonian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Mati Raidma said. He added that the OSCE PA had decades of experience in observing elections, and strong methods.

Nearly 150 parliamentarians from more than 40 national parliaments will observe the general elections in the United States of America as a part of the OSCE PA election observation mission. It is the largest delegation of OSCE parliamentarians in history. In total, the OSCE international observation mission will have more than 250 observers in the country. The purpose of the mission is to make sure that the elections adhere to the democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document.

After intensive briefings and meetings in Washington, the observers will fan out across the country on Monday. Observers will pay particular attention to the campaign environment, the legal framework, election administration, voting technologies, and election day procedures.

Deploying of election observation missions has been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. It is the tenth time that the OSCE PA has observed elections in the United States.

The observers’ preliminary findings and conclusions will be delivered at a press conference on 6 November, which will also stream live on the website of the OSCE PA.

For more information, please contact:
Mati Raidma +372 507 4112
Heljo Pikhof +372 511 9637

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

Link uudisele: Raidma and Pikhof observe the US presidential elections

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee in Taiwan: Cooperation between democratic societies is essential

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

According to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, the visit is historic as it is the first time the Foreign Affairs Committee has visited Taiwan. “When looking at the relations between Estonia and Taiwan in recent years, it can be seen that cooperation has become considerably closer at various levels,” he said. He added that the fact that the meeting with President Lai Ching-te, which was due to take place yesterday, when Typhoon Kong-rey devastated Taiwan and shut down the entire island, had not been cancelled but had been rescheduled for today, was also an indication of good relations.

In Taipei, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan Tien Chung-kwang, and Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan of the National Security Council, as well as with Eric Chu, the Chairman of the largest opposition party the Kuomintang. They also had meetings at the European Values Center for Security Policy that in January 2022 became the first European think tank to open its office in Taiwan. During the visit, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will also visit Kinmen Islands.

The members of the Foreign Affairs Committee started their visit to East Asia in the Republic of Korea, where they had meetings with Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Lee Hak-young, Minister of Unification Kim Yung-ho, and Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kim Hee-sang. In Seoul, the members of the Riigikogu visited the European Union Delegation, the Embassy of Ukraine and Soongsil University, and had meetings with the representatives of several think tanks and the defence industry company Hanwha Aerospace. They also visited the Embassy of Estonia and met with local Estonians at the Estonian Business Hub, and travelled to the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Mihkelson is accompanied on the visit by members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ester Karuse, Henn Põlluaas and Luisa Rõivas. In Taiwan, Eerik-Niiles Kross also joined the delegation.

The Foreign Affairs Committee has been following the developments in the Asian region for years. In 2011, the Foreign Affairs Committee started the hearings on the Asian strategy, and a year later, the Committee drafted the report “The Opportunities and Interests of Estonia in Asia until 2025”.

Photos of the visit

For more information and comments, please contact:
Marko Mihkelson, +372 514 1442

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Foreign Affairs Committee in Taiwan: Cooperation between democratic societies is essential

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Representatives of the EU national parliaments discussed European security and demographic trends

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali spoke at the session dedicated to European security and defence. He underlined that due to the Russian war in Ukraine, Estonia deemed it necessary to rapidly enhance Europe’s defence readiness. “To achieve this, additional EU funding sources should be analysed with the goal of making at least 100 billion euros available before the start of the new EU long-term budget period in 2028. As one possible solution, we support the issuance of EU defence bonds in solidarity, to quickly reduce Europe’s strategic defence deficiencies,” Tali said. He pointed out that adopting new plans and new capability targets was not realistic without also ensuring adequate defence spending. “2% of the GDP is no longer enough and discussing a higher defence spending target are necessary,” Tali emphasised.

Member of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Solman spoke at the session where the demographic concerns of Europe were discussed. She said she was glad that there were nations that had made families their top priority. “Hungary, who is hosting this meeting, is certainly one of these countries and a good example of family friendly initiatives. However, grim is the behaviour of the Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is talking a lot about demographics, talking about having more children – and he still finds it okay to shake hands with Putin! Putin, who is killing children and families in Europe, is deporting Ukrainian children to Russia against their own will,” Solman said. She emphasised that this was unacceptable. “Moreover, low birthrate is no longer only a European problem – most of the world has seen a steep decline in fertility in the recent years. If we are to solve the demographic downturn, we have to work together, share our knowledge and experience,” Solman noted in her speech.

COSAC is a cooperation format that brings together the Committees for Union Affairs of the national parliaments of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Representatives of the EU national parliaments discussed European security and demographic trends

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Commander of NATO Multinational Corps Northeast lieutenant-general Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart visit to Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —The Commander of NATO Multinational Corps Northeast Lieutenant- General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart visits Estonia today, who has commanded the Corps for three years and this is his final visit to MNC NE area of responsibility in this capacity. “For the past 25 years the Multinational Corps North East has been a …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Estonian and Allied parliamentarians: EU cannot recognise Georgia’s election results

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees and European Union Affairs Committees underlined in the Statement that their solidarity belonged to the many committed Europeans in Georgia who shared our values, and strived for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. They remain convinced that Georgia deserves a place in the very heart of a united Europe. “But these elections were neither free nor fair. The political climate in the run-up to the elections was incompatible with European standards of fairness. Candidates were intimidated and threatened, state power was abused, votes were bought. The reports of the international election observer missions clearly confirm this. There is therefore considerable election fraud also through intimidation and vote buying on election day,” they say.

According to the Statement, this election was about Europe or isolation, democracy or authoritarianism, freedom or Russification. “Obviously, during the election campaign it did not become clear enough that there can be no continuation of the EU rapprochement with the ruling party and its policies. The policy of the Georgian Dream is simply incompatible with the EU,” the parliamentarians pointed out. “The perfidious campaign of fear of a “global war party” that makes Georgia a second Ukraine, fell on fertile ground. There is only one “global war party”, you should call it by name. Its name is Russia.”

The parliamentarians think that against this background, the European Union cannot recognise the result. “We demand personal sanctions against those responsible for unfair electoral influence, intimidation and threats against the opposition and civil society,” they say in the Joint Statement.

At the same time they also pointed out that despite these massive disappointments, the pro-European parts of society must not be abandoned. “We should even strengthen civil society exchanges. We reject a collective punishment such as the suspension of visa liberalisation at this time. However, we fear an exodus of the well-educated, pro-European youth. Although we welcome you to the EU, it would be a tragedy for Georgia’s European orientation,” the parliamentarians said.

They also expressed concern about a “Belarusification” of the country. “If the ruling party and its leader follow their announcements with actions, there is a threat of persecution and prohibition of the opposition, independent media and critical non-governmental organisations. The EU must make it clear to the governing party that it will not accept this and in this case a complete termination of relations will follow,” the parliamentarians underlined in the Joint Statement.

They assured that they continued to strongly support the efforts of President Salome Zurabishvili to unite the country, to defend democracy, freedom and the rule of law and to preserve and secure the European future of Georgia.

In addition to Mihkelson, 11 parliamentarians from the European Parliament and the parliaments of Canada, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine signed the Statement.

Joint Statement in Estonian and in English

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Estonian and Allied parliamentarians: EU cannot recognise Georgia’s election results

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee discusses European defence and security in Hungary

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali said that his aim when meeting with colleagues from other national parliaments was to underline the need to support Ukraine in every possible way and to cripple the military economy of aggressor states Russia and Belarus with new sanctions, as well as to strongly draw Hungary’s attention to the threat that the Kremlin-mindedness of Viktor Orbán’s government poses to the freedom, common heritage and way of life of the nations of Europe.     

Tali said that regarding the European Union priorities for 2024–2029, it was important for the Plenary Meeting to highlight cooperation between countries to ensure European security. “Providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine is a necessary contribution to meeting this goal. That is why I would like to underline the need for close cooperation between national parliaments at the meeting,” Tali explained. “One of the strategic goals of the dictator Putin’s regime is to divide and then to break up the European Union that is based on common values.”

At today’s session, it is planned to hear overview of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The COSAC Plenary Meeting agenda also includes a debate on the state of the European Union in the year of institutional transition and the 15-year application of the Treaty of Lisbon. Tomorrow, the Plenary Meeting will focus on European demographic trends and responses, as well as European security and defence.

Tali added that part of the EU’s long-term assistance to Ukraine was connected with supporting the country’s accession to the European Union and implementing the necessary reforms.

The Plenary Meeting of the Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) takes place in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on 27–29 October. The Estonian delegation consists of Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali and member of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Solman.

COSAC is a cooperation format that brings together the Committees for Union Affairs of the national parliaments of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

 

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee discusses European defence and security in Hungary

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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