ESTONIA

Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees call on supporting Ukraine’s victory and NATO membership

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Foreign Affairs Committees underline in their Statement that Ukraine’s victory over russia’s aggression and Ukraine’s membership in NATO would consolidate a just and lasting peace not only in Ukraine but also in all of Europe and help to preserve the rules-based international order globally. According to them, Ukraine’s NATO membership would also provide a more effective and enduring framework for safeguarding Euro-Atlantic security.

In the Statement, the Foreign Affairs Committees commit to support Ukraine until its full victory, including the liberation of all temporarily occupied territories, accountability for war crimes, and full implementation of international justice. They also reaffirm their support to Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, with the goal of concluding accession negotiations and welcoming Ukraine as a full member of the European Union by 1 January 2030.

The Committees promise to support Ukraine’s path towards NATO membership, in line with the decisions of the Bucharest, Vilnius and Washington Summits, which clearly affirmed that Ukraine’s future is in NATO. “We call on the upcoming 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague to take concrete political steps that would pave the way for Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance,” they say in the Statement.

The Foreign Affairs Committees welcome the growing practical defence cooperation between Ukraine and like-minded partners and encourage an invitation for Ukraine to join the Joint Expeditionary Force. They also promise to continue diplomatic and political efforts to isolate russia and its supporters in the war within international organisations, to expand and tighten sanctions regimes, and to ensure full legal and political accountability for the crimes committed against Ukraine.

“We call upon the Foreign Affairs Committees of other national parliaments, international parliamentary assemblies, governments, and responsible institutions to endorse this statement and to adopt corresponding actions that would ensure continued and determined support for Ukraine’s victory, reconstruction, and full integration into the Euro-Atlantic community,” they Foreign Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania say in their Joint Statement.

The Foreign Affairs Committees made the Statement at their annual meeting, which this year was held in Birštonas, Lithuania. The Statement was signed by Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece and Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of Lithuania Remigijus Motuzas.

Text of the Joint Statement in Estonian and in English

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees call on supporting Ukraine’s victory and NATO membership

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees meet in Lithuania

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson said that the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the three countries was an annual tradition to coordinate positions and plan further activities. According to him, the relations between the Committees are characterised by intensive and close cooperation towards common goals, the most important of which are the victory of Ukraine in the war of aggression launched by Russia, and the strengthening of deterrence and defence capabilities in Europe.

The meeting will be opened by Remigijus Motuzas, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Seimas of Lithuania. After that, geopolitical challenges will be discussed with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys. The second part of the working meeting will be dedicated to discussing strengthening security and defence, and the situation of defence industry in the European Union. Simonas Šatūnas, Head of the Cabinet of European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, will be the keynote speaker at this discussion.

At the end of the meeting, the delegations of the Foreign Affairs Committees will visit Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf together with Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Dovilė Šakalienė.

The Estonian delegation to the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Baltic States consists of Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson and members of the Committee Henn Põlluaas and Juku-Kalle Raid.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees meet in Lithuania

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu heard the annual report by Minister of Infrastructure

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Minister of Infrastructure opened up on the current state of Rail Baltica, emphasizing that the completion of the construction of the Baltic rail link was a national priority. “To date, construction activities have begun or are about to begin this year on 100 kilometres of the route. The goal is to have work ongoing along the entire main route by the end of 2026. To this end, almost two weeks ago we signed the largest infrastructure contracts in Estonian history, worth almost a billion euro,” Leis said. Leis also addressed the issue of the financing of Rail Baltica, pointing out that it was a phased financing. The total cost of the link is EUR 3.07 billion, of which Estonia’s contribution is around EUR 600 million. “Estonia has used a number of sources, mainly the Connecting Europe Facility as well as CO2 quota revenue, the recovery instrument, and the structural funds. And we are working to ensure that European funding is also secured for the coming years,” the minister confirmed.

In his speech, Leis also discussed the development of the local road network. According to the Minister of Infrastructure, more investment will be made in roads that advance entrepreneurship and increase safety. To this end, an additional EUR 70 million will be allocated to improving the road network. “We have made a decision to start the construction of 2+2 highway sections in the Tallinn-Pärnu direction this year. Next year we will continue with the Tallinn-Tartu route,” Leis gave some examples. “We will also increase investments in smaller roads, with a focus on improving access to industrial areas and ports and on increasing the carrying capacity of bridges. We will also allocate additional funds to resurface gravel roads. We must ensure that infrastructure supports life and the economy in every corner of Estonia and in every situation. A new investor will not come where there is a gravel road,” the Minister of Infrastructure stated.

According to the Minister of Infrastructure, one of the most important steps in the area of circular economy is the implementation of waste reform. “The goal is to create a functioning and fair system where waste no longer goes to landfill or incinerators, but is transformed into new raw materials and industry,” Leis said. In the area of circular economy, the minister confirmed that there were plans to create a producer responsibility scheme for textile waste, to facilitate the recycling of bio-waste, to support the wider use of reusable containers and to allocate EUR 14 million in support for the development of the recycling industry.

In the field of housing, the minister highlighted the provision of state support for the renovation of apartment buildings and for obtaining home loans as key aspects. “We are facing a huge challenge: to renovate a large part of the building stock built in the last century. Apartment buildings are in the most difficult condition – around 14,000 houses need renovation by 2050,” Leis said. The Minister of Infrastructure said that it had been agreed that stable funding would be ensured for the sector, based on the CO2 quota revenue system. “We are also negotiating with the European Commission to direct the money from the Social Climate Fund to where it is most needed, that is, to housing for lower-income households.” According to Leis, the national housing loan guarantee will also be increased, and its validity will be extended to various market failure areas to help young families and people outside major centres where purchasing a home is more difficult due to market conditions. According to the Minister, the procedures for building permits and permits for use will also be updated to reduce duplication and to speed up the authorisation of minor changes. The state is also updating building regulations to emphasize energy efficiency, better quality of street space, and accessibility.

In the field of maritime affairs, the Minister of Infrastructure highlighted the issue of security in maritime areas and the functioning of interconnections even in difficult circumstances. “We are working to mitigate the risks arising from the shadow fleet and violations of international law. Shadow vessels are like cars that have not undergone a roadworthiness test and have no insurance – no one knows if they are safe or what damage they can cause.” Leis said that a new multifunctional icebreaker would be built, which, in addition to its ice breaking capabilities, would also have the ability to repair submarine cables. “Perhaps then there will be no repetition of the recent example where the repair of Estlink 2 took more than half a year and nearly EUR 60 million because the repair vessel and crew came from far away,” the minister said.

Kuldar Leis concluded his presentation with the message that change in infrastructure does not happen overnight and that many sectors need to be able to work together. “But we have clear goals, a plan to achieve them is on the table, and several critical decisions have already been made,” Leis confirmed.

Lauri Laats from the Centre Party Group, Mart Maastik from Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Ando Kiviberg from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group, Anti Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Maido Ruusmann from the Reform Party Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate. Andres Hanimägi made a speech on behalf of the Social Democratic Group.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Following the sitting, a meeting to form the Estonia-Kenya parliamentary friendship group will be held on the initiative of Vadim Belobrovtsev.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
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Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard the annual report by Minister of Infrastructure

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar on Flag Day: Blue, black and white flag should be more visible in public space

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“Our Parliament, the Riigikogu, is currently debating possible amendments to the list of days of national importance and flag days, but we already know that everyone has the opportunity and the right to decorate their home with the national flag every day if they so wish. Many citizens make use of that possibility. And they do so without any national campaign carried out by the Government. They do this simply because their heart tells them to do this. However, there are many places where homeowners and public authorities do not reach, and this is particularly true for our public spaces: town squares, avenues, and highways,” the President of the Riigikogu said.

Hussar pointed out that soon we would celebrate the Song and Dance Festival, where, in addition to our national costumes and cornflowers, our flags could also be prominently displayed. “I know that Estonian people do not accept state-run patriotism and strained campaigns. This is why today I do not want to put pressure on the Government or the Riigikogu to promote our flag culture at state level in any way. On the contrary, my speech today is meant for all of us, to ourselves. So that we could think about it in our spare moments and perhaps come up with some beautiful results. Happy Flag Day, and may there be blue-black-whiteness in your hearts,” Lauri Hussar wished.

Bishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Ove Sander said a blessing at the flag raising ceremony. Chairman of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei delivered a speech.

Jan Eduard Piigli and Loore Aruste from Kadriorg German Gymnasium and Adrian Georg Zurbuchen and Reiu Pärnamäe from Tallinn French School assisted at the raising of the flag. The Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association gave ceremonial flags to both schools.

The flag guards of the Guard Battalion, the Estonian Defence League, Women’s Home Defence, Young Eagles, Home Daughters, Scouts, Guides, as well as schools and academic and patriotic organisations attended the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden today morning. The Military Orchestra played and the choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society, the Women’s Home Defence and schools sang at the ceremony.

The National Flag Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the consecration of the blue-black-white flag of the Estonian Students’ Society. The first blue, black and white flag was sewn in spring 1884. It was blessed and consecrated at Otepää parsonage in South Estonia on 4 June 1884. This year we celebrate the 141st anniversary of the consecration of the national flag of Estonia.

Photos of the flag raising ceremony (Merje Meisalu / Chancellery of the Riigikogu; the gallery will be updated)
Speech by President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar on the 141st anniversary of the Estonian flag
Blessing of Bishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Ove Sander on the 141st anniversary of the Estonian flag

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
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Link uudisele: Hussar on Flag Day: Blue, black and white flag should be more visible in public space

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Estonia: Südamekodud Expands into Latvia and Lithuania in Partnership with EfTEN Capital

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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Südamekodud, the largest provider of elderly care services in Estonia, is expanding its operations into Latvia and Lithuania

NordenBladet – Südamekodud, the largest provider of elderly care services in Estonia, is expanding its operations into Latvia and Lithuania. The expansion is being carried out in collaboration with EfTEN Capital, a real estate fund manager with whom Südamekodud has already developed a successful partnership in Estonia.

The goal is to invest in the elderly care sector in both Latvia and Lithuania, including the construction of new care homes and the renovation of existing facilities. The initiative also includes the development of service providers to improve the overall quality of care.

Currently, Südamekodud operates 12 care homes across Estonia, offering over 1,200 care places and employing more than 500 people. Additionally, approximately 500 new care places are planned in Estonia. Construction is also underway in Tallinn’s Hiiu district, where the new Nõmme Südamekodu will be built to accommodate 170 elderly residents.

EfTEN Real Estate Fund AS is the first real estate fund in the Baltics to have invested in care home infrastructure for over five years. Today, the fund owns four care home properties in Estonia in partnership with Südamekodud.

Both Südamekodud and EfTEN Capital see strategic potential in their joint expansion — to develop modern and secure care facilities that meet the growing needs of aging populations and support local economies through job creation and infrastructure investment.

Featured image: Südamekodud

Estlink 3 – New Power Connection with Finland Expected by the End of the Decade

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet – The planning of Estlink 3, the third electricity interconnection between Estonia and Finland, is currently underway, with several preparatory steps already completed. Although the project is still in its early stages, significant attention is already being paid to cable security and environmental impact.

The cable will come ashore in Aulepa, Estonia, a region known for intensive trawling activity. This is being taken into account during the cable route planning, and adjustments will be made if necessary to minimize the impact on local fisheries and to ensure operational safety. One of the main goals is to place the new connection far enough from existing infrastructure to reduce the risk of simultaneous failures.

According to the Estonian grid operator Elering, the project also takes into consideration the threat of sabotage, which has recently gained attention due to incidents in the Baltic Sea. The cable is planned to be laid deeper into the seabed, and additional protective measures will be tailored to the specific geological conditions.

Estlink 3 – New Power Connection with Finland Expected by the End of the DecadePhoto: Elering

Estlink 3 is being developed in cooperation with the Finnish grid operator Fingrid, which is currently focusing on finalizing the business model before making a more substantial technical contribution. The geological conditions in Finland — granite bedrock interspersed with clay layers — present technical challenges but are not expected to affect the overall timeline. However, they do require more extensive geological studies.

If everything proceeds as planned, Estlink 3 is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s.

Featured image is illustrative: NordenBladet

The Riigikogu supports cooperation of Member States to preserve digital cultural heritage

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Committee Peeter Tali pointed out that one of the lessons of the war Russia waged in Ukraine was that in particular the Kremlin wanted to destroy cultural heritage and historical memory in order to deprive the Ukrainian people of their identity.

“If heritage were to be destroyed in one country, it is very important that digital cultural heritage can be copied and preserved outside the country. In that way, it will be possible to restore this heritage later,” Tali said. “As the preservation and protection of heritage is important for all Member States, it makes sense to develop a common solution that is also more cost-effective and sustainable.”

It was decided at the sitting that our duty was to ensure cultural historical continuity. Therefore, it is important for Estonia that the European Commission develops a common solution for the cross-border preservation of digital heritage within the European Union and within the EU financial framework, so that the most valuable part of Europe’s digital heritage and the information systems related to it could be preserved for centuries.

Before a solution that covers the whole Europe could be developed, it is necessary to ensure that systems are able to exchange data between themselves. It is essential that national systems for preservation of digital heritage could operate together so that it would be possible to exchange data very quickly and at the same time securely in a crisis.

Estonia also considers it necessary that the European Commission forms an expert group consisting of representatives of Member States to formulate a solution, and ensures the transparency and consistency of its activities, as well as the resources necessary for its work, in order to first create a standard according to which it would be possible to start working. Estonia would like the European Commission to carry out a pilot project to test the model in different cultural contexts and make sure it works before offering it to all.

A trans-European preservation service must ensure the sustainable long-term preservation of unique digital heritage and related information systems, and the capacity to launch priority services relating to digital heritage beyond national borders. The aim is to have high-quality copies of digital heritage in a ‘digital embassy of heritage’.

The preparations have been ongoing for a couple of years and it is expected that the model could be implemented in 2028.

Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, and Adviser on Digital Heritage Kristiin Meos and European Union Affairs Adviser Kadri Jauram from the Ministry of Culture gave an overview of the Government’s positions on the preservation of digital cultural heritage at the sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee. The Committee decided to approve the positions in line with the opinion of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports cooperation of Member States to preserve digital cultural heritage

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee is on a working visit to Norway

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the meetings would focus on further support to Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia to make it possible to achieve a fair and lasting peace that included restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and to avoid Russia’s possible aggressions in the future. Foreign and security policy cooperation between the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States, increasing defence spending and strengthening European defence capabilities and NATO deterrence, including enhancing security in the Baltic Sea, will also be discussed at the meetings.

During the two-day visit, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Parliament of Norway, and with State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Andreas Flåm, as well as with representatives of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). They will also visit the defence and space industry company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson is accompanied on the visit by members of the Committee Luisa Rõivas and Henn Põlluaas.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: The Foreign Affairs Committee is on a working visit to Norway

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO PA pushes for increased support to Ukraine and stronger NATO deterrence

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

According to the Head of the Estonian delegation to the NATO PA Raimond Kaljulaid, Estonia currently faces three challenges on the NATO level. “First of all, we are keen for every NATO ally to increase their defence spending. We have already done this and contribute more than five percent of our GDP, as do many other countries, but we need the same contribution from everyone to ensure our security,” he stressed.

Secondly, Kaljulaid highlighted the need to keep the issue of Ukraine on the agenda. “Thirdly, we need to continually stress on every level that unity is key and that discords between USA and Europe only benefit NATO’s enemies and opponents, especially Russia and China,” he said.

Member of the Estonian delegation, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson emphasised that the upcoming NATO summit must avoid any concessions when it comes to Ukraine. “The conclusions of the The Hague summit cannot be a step backwards compared to those made in Vilnius and Washington. This is why it is important for the NATO allies to invite the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to The Hague and organise a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. Russia must not receive a signal that they have any kind of power over NATO decisions,” he said.

The focus of the declarations passed at the Spring Session of the Assembly was on supporting Ukraine and taking NATO deterrence and defence capability to a new level at the summit that is taking place in the Netherlands at the end of June.

The Assembly called on the governments of the allies to increase diplomatic, military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, support tougher sanctions against Russia and its accomplices, including in the oil and gas sector, and ensure that any peace agreement would prevent possible future aggressions by Russia, ensure the long term security of Ukraine, and strengthen European and Euro-Atlantic security. The declaration also included an appeal to NATO leadership to invite Ukraine to the The Hague summit, and to organise a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on the level of the heads of government.

The second declaration concerned increasing the level of defence expenditure, strengthening the defence industry, and enhancing NATO deterrence. Among other things, the members of the Assembly advocated for strengthening NATO’s position in the Baltic Sea region, referring to both the Baltic air policing mission and the Baltic Sentry activities.

The MPs taking part in the session of the NATO PA also had a discussion with the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte, whose speech focused on increasing defence spending and developing defence industry. As the Spring Session, which started last week and ended on Monday, was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, speeches were delivered by high representatives of Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: NATO PA pushes for increased support to Ukraine and stronger NATO deterrence

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar: Increasing cooperation between Estonia and Korea offers great development opportunities

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meeting that the excellent relations between Estonia and Korea were characterised by shared values in defending freedom, democracy and the international legal order, as well as by close cooperation in many fields. He pointed out that the opening of the Estonian Embassy and Business Centre in Seoul in early 2023 and the opening of the Korean Embassy in Tallinn in March this year had boosted these excellent relations.

Hussar noted that in the increasingly tense security situation, which had led to the need to significantly increase defence spending, close defence cooperation was important for both countries, and as part of this cooperation, Estonia had purchased K9 self-propelled howitzers from South Korea. “In addition to cooperation of defence industries, we are also developing digital cooperation and are ready to share our experience and pay even more attention to cooperation in cyber defence,” he said.

It was confirmed at the meeting that expanding economic cooperation offered great growth opportunities, and the promotion of cultural ties and tourism was also considered important. The participation of the Daegu Opera House in this year’s Saaremaa Opera Festival was particularly highlighted. The Speakers also underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, emphasising the need to further develop interparliamentary relations.

Hussar pointed out that a 12-member Estonia-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group had been formed in the Riigikogu, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu had visited the Republic of Korea last autumn, and Chair of the Environment Committee of the Riigikogu Yoko Alender had visited Seoul with a business delegation in April this year. “The importance of parliamentary diplomacy has grown considerably in the last three years, especially since Russia started a full-scale war of aggression in Ukraine,” the President of the Riigikogu said, and reiterated the desire to further strengthen parliamentary relations.

Chair of the Estonia-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart and members of the Group Yoko Alender and Urve Tiidus also participated in the meeting of the Speakers.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea arrived in Estonia for a three-day visit on Sunday, when he met with the Korean community in Estonia. He will meet with President Alar Karis, and visit the e-Estonia Briefing Centre. He will also visit the Estonian Open Air Museum, Kadriorg Art Museum, Palmse Manor and Viru Bog.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: Hussar: Increasing cooperation between Estonia and Korea offers great development opportunities

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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