NordenBladet —Next week marks the commencement of the combat phase of exercise Spring Storm, during which defending Estonia will be practiced using land, sea, and air force units in Western and Southern Estonia. “The exercise has started off very well. We have now been joined by over 12,000 fighters. It is …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —Today, on May 11th, the Estonian Defence Forces exercise Spring Storm 2024 reached a phase where firing exercises and manoeuvres at squad and platoon levels have been successfully completed, and preparations are underway for military training battles. The 2nd Infantry Brigade’s Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion is preparing for battles by fortifying …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —Today, representatives from Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) visited the military exercise Spring Storm. They were briefed on the exercise’s objectives, the tasks of the Estonian division, and reserve service in Estonia, and also met with reservists participating in Spring Storm. Reserve officers from 12 countries learned about Estonia’s …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —On May 11 and 12, as part of the Spring Storm exercise and the NATO international exercise Swift Response, UK Chinook and Wildcat helicopters will conduct low-altitude and night flights over Ämari and Western Estonia. The exercises will begin at 22:30 on May 11 and end at 00:30 on the …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
Hussar pointed out that Estonia and Poland were like-minded countries that had excellent relations and worked very closely together, especially on security issues. “We have a common understanding of both Russia’s aggression and the need to help Ukraine, and we will continue to do all we can to support Ukraine,” he said.
At the meeting, Ukraine’s needs, and possible further steps to help Ukraine were discussed in more detail. Hussar spoke about a Bill that had passed its second reading in the Riigikogu yesterday. That Bill would allow the use of Russia’s assets that are frozen under international sanctions to compensate Ukraine for war damages. He also acknowledged the agreement reached by the EU diplomats to use the income from Russia’s frozen assets to aid Ukraine.
Hussar said that Ukraine needed long-term military, economic and political support, including assistance in reconstruction of the country. In particular, he emphasised the importance of diplomatic efforts, including parliamentary diplomacy, to keep the Allies and partners united.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson and Chairman of the Estonia-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group Ants Frosch also participated in the meeting of Hussar and Sikorski.
Besides the meeting in the Riigikogu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland met with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna in Tallinn.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar underlined the importance of unity among the Allies in supporting Ukraine
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —Today during the Spring Storm exercise, French allied units installed a combat support ferry at Pikasilla on the Väike-Emajõgi River, which supported the 2nd Infantry Brigade’s engineer battalion and Danish recon units during a tactical crossing manoeuvre. According to Lieutenant Antoine, the commander of the French engineer platoon, the combat …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —Today, the 2nd Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion’s reservists who were formed on May 8th began refresher training at the Nursipalu training area, participating in the exercise Spring Storm. “With the reservists, we shot at targets from a distance of 100 and 200 metres. I am quite surprised. They can shoot even …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
According to the draft, the Riigikogu will pass a fundamental decision on whether to allow production of nuclear energy in Estonia or not. The draft is mainly based on the analysis conducted by the Nuclear Energy Working Group in 2021–2023, which concluded that the adoption of nuclear energy in Estonia is feasible.
The members of the Riigikogu who submitted the draft support the preparations for the adoption of nuclear energy and the creation of a necessary legislative framework for it. This includes the drafting of the Nuclear Energy and Safety Act and, if necessary, amending and supplementing the existing legislation, the establishment of an institution regulating the safe use of nuclear energy and the development of sectoral competences.
The explanatory memorandum of the draft states that the adoption of nuclear energy will bring along several challenges, like training of qualified workforce, handling and storage of used nuclear fuel, and emergency preparedness. To address these, it is essential to ensure appropriate regulation, supervision, competence development and timely and adequate funding that would guarantee the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy when it is adopted.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the adoption of nuclear energy in Estonia would have several advantages. Among other things, nuclear power would provide a controllable and continuous generation capacity that would balance the fluctuations in renewable energy generation capacity, help Estonia reach its climate neutrality target, ensure a stable and affordable electricity price in the long term, promote research and development, bring economic benefits and create jobs for local people. The draft does not grant the right to build a nuclear power plant in Estonia.
As a next step, the Riigikogu should amend the Government of the Republic Act to create a nuclear regulator and adopt the Nuclear Energy and Safety Act. The impacts and risks involved are assessed at each point of decision. If it becomes clear that the next positive decision would have too great negative impacts and risks, or if new circumstances have emerged that affect the adoption of this type of energy, the Riigikogu can decide to terminate or temporarily suspend the process of adopting nuclear energy.
Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
+372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Members of the Riigikogu submitted a draft Resolution allowing preparations for adoption of nuclear energy
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —Due to the Spring Storm exercise, there may be an increased number of military convoys and heavy equipment on the roads. From May 10 to May 12, movements of military convoys and heavy equipment will primarily take place along the Tapa – Mäo – Imavere – Viljandi route. From Viljandi, …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —Today, reservists from the 27th Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade practiced demining, detonating explosives, and conducted shooting drills at the Väluste shooting range in order to prepare for the next phases of the exercise. “Fighters are strong-willed and ready to support the brigade’s manoeuvres under any circumstances,” said …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces