ESTONIA

The Foreign Affairs Committee visits the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

According to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, the main topic of the visit is the security situation. “In both Seoul and Taipei, in addition to promoting bilateral relations, we will also focus on learning about the regional security situation and explaining the importance of Ukraine’s victory,” he said, and added that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and North Korea joining it also influenced the security situation in the Asian region.

In Seoul, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet 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. The members of the Riigikogu will visit the European Union Delegation, the Embassy of Ukraine, Soongsil University and several think tanks. They plan to have meetings with the representatives of Asan Institute for Policy Studies, the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, the International Democracy Hub and the company Hanwha Aerospace. They will also visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone and meet with local Estonians at the Estonian Business Hub.

On Wednesday, the representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee will travel to Taipei, where they will meet with President of Taiwan Lai Ching-te, Vice President of the Parliament of Taiwan Johnny Chiang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, as well as Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan of the National Security Council. They also plan to have meetings at the European Economic and Trade Office, and 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, which will last until Sunday, the members of the Riigikogu will also visit Kinmen Islands.

Mihkelson is accompanied on the visit by members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ester Karuse, Henn Põlluaas and Luisa Rõivas.

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 visits the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Võrklaev at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meeting: We must take the next steps regarding Russia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Võrklaev underlined in his speech that supporting Ukraine was a priority for Estonia, and acknowledged the efforts of the World Bank and IMF.

“We all must increase the joint pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. We welcome the G7+ loan mechanism to support Ukraine and the use of extraordinary revenues from Russian assets for this purpose, which is an important step and must be implemented as soon as possible. Russia has caused unimaginable damage to Ukraine and must bear the responsibility for this,” Võrklaev said.

He added that in the nearest future Estonia would focus on supporting the energy sector of Ukraine, in addition to strong military assistance. “We will contribute to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and supply Ukraine with used equipment from Estonia’s power plants in order to help vulnerable groups survive the cold winter,” he said.

Võrklaev concluded his speech with an observation, “It is ironic that we are discussing these issues in the premises of an institution where the aggressor is a shareholder. We need to take the next steps.”

“This means that Russia should not be at the table of the IMF and the World Bank,” Võrklaev explained, and recalled that in addition to the strong messages of support for Ukraine from other colleagues, the Minister of Finance of Finland had sharply pointed out in his speech that the IMF and the World Bank were working for global financial stability and economic growth, but almost every meeting and analysis showed the negative impact of Russia’s full-scale war on both economy and people’s livelihoods. “This is working directly against our common efforts,” he remarked, commenting on the developments at the roundtable.

The Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on Ukraine, held as a part of the World Bank’s Annual Meetings, brings together high-level officials and ministers of finance from around the world to discuss the priorities of support to Ukraine and coordinate international aid measures. The discussions focus on rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and financial system, mitigating the crises caused by Russia’s aggression, and identifying how the international community could contribute most effectively to Ukraine’s reconstruction.

The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as the events held as a part of the meetings in Washington, are also attended by Governor of Eesti Pank (Bank of Estonia) Madis Müller and experts from the central bank and the Ministry of Finance. Bilateral meetings will be held with senior officials of the IMF and the World Bank, the Government and the central bank of Ukraine, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Federal Reserve, as well as with other representatives of the public and private sectors.

For more information, please contact: Mart Võrklaev, +372 5132166
mart.vorklaev@riigikogu.ee

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

 

Link uudisele: Võrklaev at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meeting: We must take the next steps regarding Russia

Source: Parliament of Estonia

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar was presented a high state award of Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Order was awarded by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of the Ukrainian people for outstanding personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and promoting the state of Ukraine internationally. Hussar accepted the Order after the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga. “This is not only a recognition of my activities, but also an acknowledgement to the entire Riigikogu and the people of Estonia for their help and support in Ukraine’s war of independence,” Hussar said, and thanked President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine for the high award.

In his speech at the Summit, Hussar said that Estonia would continue providing strong military, economic and political support to Ukraine until Ukraine had won the war launched by Russia, Crimea had been returned to Ukraine and Ukraine had become a member of the European Union and NATO. “We must do everything in out power that this war, which started not in February 2022, but with the illegal annexation of Crimea ten years ago, would end with Ukraine’s victory and restoration of its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” he said.

According to Hussar, Estonia supports Ukraine’s victory plan, which will allow Ukraine to take the initiative in the war and pave the way for a just peace. He underlined the importance of providing military assistance, in particular air defence systems and ammunition, and considered it necessary to remove all restrictions that hinder Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, including the prohibition to attack military targets on Russian territory. He pointed out that Estonia had committed itself to providing Ukraine with military assistance amounting to 0.25% of its GDP over the next four years, and called on other countries to do the same.

In his speech, Hussar recalled the Statement adopted the last week, in which the Riigikogu recognised the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars carried out by the Soviet regime in 1944 as an act of genocide and condemned the continuation of the genocide policy against Crimean Tatars in Russian-occupied Crimea. “We call on the international community to show solidarity with Crimean Tatars, and we also call on other parliaments who have not yet done it to adopt similar statements,” the President of the Riigikogu said.

The Summit organised by Latvia and Ukraine commemorated the passing of 80 years since the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars and the passing of ten years since the occupation of Crimea. The Summit, which was held for the third time, underlined the importance of restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and discussed the impacts of aggression and the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. At the conclusion of the Summit, the participants adopted a Joint Declaration.

Hussar also had separate meetings with President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou and President of the Assembly of North Macedonia Afrim Gashi. After the Summit, he participated in the high-level thematic conference on the fifth point of Ukraine’s 10-point Peace Formula, which focused on the implementation of the principles of the UN Charter, the role of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order. The working group is co-chaired by Estonia and Argentine.

Member of the Riigikogu and Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) Mati Raidma also participated in the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform and delivered a speech on behalf of the OSCE PA.

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

Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar was presented a high state award of Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mati Raidma and Eduard Odinets are observing elections in Uzbekistan

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“These elections constitute a landmark in Uzbekistan’s path to democracy because we will see the effect of the recent constitutional reforms and the introduction of the new election system in Uzbekistan. Hopefully the elections will respect the international standards,” Raidma said, adding that the elections must not only fit the legal framework but also embody the spirit of democratic values. Raidma and Odinets will be observing the elections from today until Monday.

More than 60 members of 25 national parliaments will observe the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. 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.

Deploying election observation missions has been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards.

For more information, please contact: Mati Raidma +372 5074112

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Mati Raidma and Eduard Odinets are observing elections in Uzbekistan

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The deliberation of a Bill amending the list of public holidays is deferred in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

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 scheduled for the sitting. It is intended to include Easter Monday among public holidays. In addition, the Bill is intended to provide giving additional days of rest for the national day and public holidays that fall on a weekend.

The Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act provides that, where the presenter is not present at the deliberation of an item, the chair of the sitting does not open the deliberation of the agenda item, and the deliberation of the draft Resolution or Bill is deferred.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be 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: The deliberation of a Bill amending the list of public holidays is deferred in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar attends Crimea Platform parliamentary summit in Riga

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Summit is organised in cooperation of the parliaments of Latvia and Ukraine. It will be opened by Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver a video address. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Baiba Braže and Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyal will also deliver speeches.

The Summit will commemorate the passing of 80 years from the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars and the passing of 10 years since the occupation of Crimea. The event will also highlight the need to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and will discuss the impact of aggression and the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. At the conclusion of the Summit, the participants plan to adopt a Joint Declaration.

The President of the Riigikogu plans to have a separate meeting with President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou within the framework of the Parliamentary Summit.

After the Summit, Hussar will participate in the high-level thematic conference on the fifth point of Ukraine’s 10-point Peace Formula, which will be co-chaired by Estonia and Argentine. The conference will be dedicated to the implementation of the principles of the UN Charter, the role of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order. The Speakers of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine will deliver opening addresses.

Member of the Riigikogu and Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) Mati Raidma will participate in the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform as a member of the OSCE PA delegation and address the Summit on behalf of the OSCE PA.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar attends Crimea Platform parliamentary summit in Riga

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson will discuss security and economic relations on his visit to Japan

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson sees Japan as the key partner for Estonia in the Asian region, but the country is also a member of the G7, a strategic partner of the European Union, and an ally of the USA, sharing our values of liberal democracy. The meetings in Tokyo will provide an opportunity to discuss developing the economic relations between Estonia and Japan, and exchange information on the security situation and recent developments around the world, including the topics of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and further support to Ukraine.

The parties will also discuss tensions in the Middle East and the situation in the Asian region. “The only way to ensure peace in Europe and to ground the increasing tensions in other parts of the world is by achieving Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s strategic defeat,” Mihkelson said.

The schedule of the visit includes meetings in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Representation of the European Union, Embassy of Ukraine, and several thin tanks. Among others, Mihkelson will meet representatives of the Japan Institute of International Affairs, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies.

After the meetings in Tokyo, Mihkelson will join the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu on its visit to the Republic of Korea and Taiwan at the end of the week. The Foreign Affairs Committee has been keeping its eye on the events in the Asian region and the purpose of the week-long visit is to get a better overview of the security situation in the region. In addition to Mihkelson, members of the Committee Ester Karuse, Eerik-Niiles Kross, Henn Põlluaas, and Luisa Rõivas will also take part in the visit.

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

Link uudisele: Mihkelson will discuss security and economic relations on his visit to Japan

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Exhibition of Ukrainian national costume was opened in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Lauri Hussar said that Estonia and Ukraine were united by a sad cultural-historical fact that the communist regime had tried to rob our people of their national costumes and destroy our national self-consciousness. “This piece of history shows how cruel and criminal human behaviour can be. Today we are in a situation where Russia has aggressively attacked free Ukraine. It is the duty of Estonia to assist Ukraine in every way until Ukraine has won this war. We want both Estonians and Ukrainians to reach a time when we can happily wear our traditional clothes without fear of someone trying to rob them,” Lauri Hussar stated.

Hussar said that we must stand for the preservation of our national heritage, national colours, national clothes and national identity. “We are together in this fight, but also in the shared joy at the opening this colourful exhibition,” Hussar said.

Ruslan Stefanchuk thanked the people and the state of Estonia for their support. “We are a long way from Ukraine here today, but through this exhibition it is possible to experience our cultural heritage,” Stefanchuk said in his welcoming speech.

The exhibition “The Ukrainian Colours” presents authentic traditional garments from ten ethnographic regions of Ukraine. The folk costumes are from the beginning and middle of the last century.

In all regions of Ukraine, the embroidered shirt – vyshyvanka – has become an indispensable attribute of folk costume. This shirt is still a part of everyday dress in Ukraine and is often also worn by representatives of other ethnic groups.

The exhibition also includes porcelain dolls and traditional handmade motanka dolls in folk costumes from different regions of Ukraine, made by Ukrainian masters from the 20th century, as well as various embroideries and elements of folk costumes.

In total, the exhibition “The Ukrainian Colours” features exhibits from 13 oblasts of Ukraine. The objects come from the Ukrainian Museum of Estonia in Kohtla-Järve. The exhibition was created in cooperation with the Congress of Ukrainians of Estonia.

The exhibition will stay open until 22 November. The exhibition can be visited on working days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors need to present an identity document to gain entry to Toompea Castle.

Photo gallery of the opening of the exhibition (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu).

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

Link uudisele: Exhibition of Ukrainian national costume was opened in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu heard replies to five interpellations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta replied to the interpellation concerning renting out prison places (No. 645), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Rain Epler, Siim Pohlak, Rene Kokk, Evelin Poolamets, Arvo Aller, Kert Kingo, Varro Vooglaid, Anti Poolamets, Mart Helme, Helle-Moonika Helme and Martin Helme.

The interpellators wished to know more about the proposal submitted to the Government to start renting out vacant prison places in Estonia to other countries.

Pakosta confirmed that no negotiations had been opened with any country, including the United Kingdom. “On 26 September, the Cabinet of the Government of the Republic held a meeting at which the Ministry of Justice was authorised to hold preliminary consultations with various countries with a view to clarifying the more detailed circumstances of the rental option, the more detailed potential cost-effectiveness and the more detailed potential impact on Estonia’s economy and security on a country-by-country basis,” Pakosta said. She added that those pre-consultations did not in any way imply that the project would come to fruition, but they confirmed that they were currently exploring the possibilities of launching the project and what it would entail in more concrete terms.

“Our position is that not a single prisoner from a foreign country, if we start accepting prisoners from foreign countries at all, will be released to Estonia,” confirmed Pakosta.

Pakosta explained that, at that point, Estonia had held preliminary consultations with the Netherlands and Sweden. “The pre-consultations have been such that there has been a clarification of details at the level of officials of what could be considered in the first place. In the case of the Netherlands, we are also gaining experience of the fact that the Netherlands itself has rented out prison places and of what that has brought about and how they have organized that,” the minister said.

Pakosta justified the project in question: “I would like to work on finding a use for vacant prison places. This is an inevitability that must be addressed. We have a significant burden on the taxpayer to maintain empty prison buildings,” Pakosta noted.

“The aim is to find out the various details and circumstances, whether this project would be feasible in such a way that the safety of the Estonian people would be guaranteed, that safety would even increase and that it would also be economically viable. Not to mention that all other requirements will have to be met as well. Will this be worthwhile,” Pakosta said.

Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo replied to the interpellation concerning care reform (No. 649), Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellation concerning tax rises (No. 647) and Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets replied to the interpellations concerning the confiscation of the monument to Estonian soldier (No. 642) and the grant of international protection to  men of mobilisation age who are Ukrainian nationals (No. 643).

Rain Epler took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 9.36 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

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

 

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard replies to five interpellations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Stefanchuk to the Riigikogu: We cannot change geography, but together we can change history in the future

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

In his speech to the plenary, Stefanchuk thanked Estonia for the support and assistance Estonia had given Ukraine over almost three years. “First, I would like to thank you for having always been by our side,” he said.

Stefanchuk stated that Estonia had been among the few countries that had given Ukraine its first weapons even before the full-scale invasion. “The Javelins you gave us stopped the enemy near Chernihiv and Kyiv in the winter of 2022. The decision to give us all the howitzers Estonia had strengthened our defences in the east and south. Your Mistral air defence systems made Ukraine’s skies safer, helped save the lives of many Ukrainians,” he said, adding that sanctions had slowed down Putin’s war machine and Estonia’s priceless humanitarian aid had made it possible for people in devastated cities to survive the cold weather. “Tens of thousands of women, children and elderly from Ukraine found temporary shelter, work and education in Estonia. Such things are not forgotten, they will be remembered for ever.”

Stefanchuk thanked the Riigikogu for the nine statements adopted in support of Ukraine, and for not letting the world forget the war launched against Ukraine. “I thank you for speaking so loudly about this, for being with us in this fight, for convincing partners and those who still hesitate,” he said.

According to the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine needs swift, resolute and effective decisions: increasing of military support, and air defence systems that would finally enable to close the skies over Ukraine and protect its people. “We ask for your help in the abolishing of all restrictions imposed on Ukraine regarding the use of long-range missile systems to destroy military objects and targets on the territory of the Russian Federation, which are key to the aggression,” he said. We need fighter aircraft and relevant training for our pilots. Ukraine’s energy sector needs support. We ask for your continued leadership in discussing these issues with our partners. We are determined to end this war with our victory so that we can continue to live in peace.”

Stefanchuk also asked Estonia to support and help to implement Ukraine’s victory plan, which had been presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. The first point of the five-point victory plan includes an urgent invitation to Ukraine to join NATO, the second point focuses on strengthening Ukraine’s defence capability, the third on deterring the aggressor, the fourth on strategic economic potential and the fifth point is intended to be implemented after the war. “Our army has real experience of modern warfare, they know how to use Western weaponry and are ready for effective cooperation with NATO partners,” he said.

In his speech, Stefanchuk also highlighted Estonia’s ability to lead and provide leadership, and noted that Estonia’s leadership was needed for strengthening Ukraine’s defence capability. He also underlined the importance of Estonia’s leadership in providing security guarantees, and added that without Estonia’s leadership, the reconstruction of Ukraine could not be imagined.

Stefanchuk pointed out before the Riigikogu that we could not change geography. “But I am convinced that you will agree that together we can change history in the future. We can do so that never again will Ukraine, Estonia or any other democratic country be left alone in such a fight,” he said. “In our veins flows freedom and the steadfast striving for freedom. And that is why we must stand together in the fight against the tyranny that is attacking our freedom, democracy and European values. And we will definitely win! Together we will win!” he said in his speech at the Riigikogu.

Verbatim record (in Estonian)

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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: Stefanchuk to the Riigikogu: We cannot change geography, but together we can change history in the future

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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