ESTONIA

Jüri Ratas on Veterans Day ceremony: Our country is born from the Estonian spirit

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Veterans Day is an occasion to remember the veterans of the Defence Forces and the Defence League, and their loved ones. Ratas quoted the golden words of Lennart Meri: “We are responsible for our country—all together and everyone individually”.

Ratas emphasised that the deep meaning behind the maxim still stands today. “It is a great wealth to have so many compatriots who have made the commitment to join the Defence Forces and the Defence League and to put their heart and soul into serving the Republic of Estonia.” 

Ratas highlighted the defence of Estonia as the main task of an Estonian soldier. “The security of Estonia and our region today is strong, although more fragile than it was a few years ago. The cornerstones of its strength is the knowledge that we have a multitude of friends in NATO and the European Union whom we can lean on every day and in times of trouble. We are very grateful for the presence of our allies and partners in Estonia and our region. At the same time, it would be short-sighted of us to take this presence for granted,” Ratas said. 

This year, we celebrate 20 years from Estonia’s accession to the European Union and NATO as a full member. The accession of Finland and Sweden is a game changer for our region and an important contribution to the security of the whole Euro-Atlantic area. “This creates new opportunities for regional security and defence cooperation. The world is far from living in harmony and this makes the role of NATO in keeping peace, security, and stability priceless now and in the future,” Ratas emphasised.

On Veterans Day we celebrate the servicemen who have taken part in international military missions over the years on behalf of Estonia. Foreign missions are an important component of Estonia’s security policy and international cooperation. “It is with sadness that I think about the lives that these operations have claimed and all the stories I’ve heard about dealing with the grief. Estonia will not forget those who fell for us, their loved ones, nor the ultimate sacrifice a soldier can make,” Ratas declared.

“The world is still far from living in harmony and that is why we have contributed for years into the fight against threats that concern us all. Armed conflicts, terror, or evil intentions are still very much in existence and even we have not remained untouched. We are deeply grateful to the Estonian servicemen who have fallen or been hurt when fighting for a safer world and serving us,” Ratas said.

The war machine continues on its bloody path in Europe. There is a full-scale war raging in Europe, launched by the aggressor state Russia. “The beginning of this war takes us back to 2014. While we used to use words like concerning or serious, now we have come to realise that the war is actually between two sides. One side embodies the rule-based world order on the foundations of international law, the other side embodies the misconception that the holder of the power can attack, destroy, kill at will. Not only must we speak against it, but also act and do it together,” urged Ratas.

If our children, grandchildren, and their children grow in the spirit that we embody, we can put our minds to rest for the days, years, or centuries to come. “The Republic of Estonia will stay strong, and our people will live well. Indeed, this and much more is what makes up an Estonian; this is what joins us together and makes us feel like a united nation. The Estonian spirit is not a consequence of independence, but the other way round. Our country has been born out of the Estonian spirit,” Ratas concluded.

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

 

Link uudisele: Jüri Ratas on Veterans Day ceremony: Our country is born from the Estonian spirit

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Tibet Support Group of the Riigikogu will pay a visit to the Dalai Lama

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

“The Tibet Support Group in this Riigikogu is the largest of all time, and it has altogether 16 members,” Chairman of the Tibet Support Group Juku-Kalle Raid said. “It is understandable because the situation with the native language, education, politics, human rights and freedoms in occupied Tibet is extremely complicated and is becoming more and more grim every day. The cooperation between China and Russia in oppressing other nations has been gathering wind beneath its wings, Iran’s actions can be added to this, and of course all this is being noticed,” Raid explained.
 
“The programme is busy and quite likely we will get a closer look at what China has been doing in occupied Tibet,” Raid said, and added that the delegation of the Riigikogu planned to meet with the Head and the ministers of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and to visit the Tibetan parliament.
 
Besides the Chairman of the Tibet Support Group, the delegation also includes members of the Support Group Tarmo Tamm and Henn Põlluaas, as well as representatives of the Estonian Institute of Human Rights and the Tibetan Institute, and Estonian journalists.
 
The 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso has visited Estonia three times, in 1991, 2001 and 2011. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his peaceful struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has published dozens of books about the Tibetan Buddhism, several of which have been translated into Estonian. The Dalai Lama is a title that was bestowed to Sönam Gyatso, the Head Lama of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism, by ruler of the Mongols Altan Khan in 1578. After the People’s Republic of China occupied Tibet in the 1950s, the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso went into exile in India in 1959 and founded the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala.
 
For more information, please contact:
Juku-Kalle Raid
Chairman of Tibet Support Group of the Riigikogu
+372  631 6562

Link uudisele: The Tibet Support Group of the Riigikogu will pay a visit to the Dalai Lama

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar discusses strengthening of the EU and situation in Ukraine with EU Speakers

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said that it was important to draw the attention of his EU counterparts to the fact that Ukraine’s resolute resistance and the support of its allies had helped to deter the aggressor, but it was not enough. “We can do more and we must do more because Russia’s aims have not changed,” he pointed out, and added that the situation on the front was very difficult and Ukraine urgently needed more weapons and ammunition. “Rapid delivery of military aid to Ukraine is more important than ever before. We must keep in mind that Ukrainian soldiers are fighting on the front not only for the independence of their country, but for the security of the whole Europe.”

Hussar will also speak about the need for further support to Ukraine in his speech at the Conference, where he will underline the importance of using Russia’s frozen assets to compensate the war damages caused to Ukraine. The Speaker of the Riigikogu thinks that it is necessary that the EU countries, both at the national and the Union level, look for additional ways to contribute to reconstruction of Ukraine, and take on a long-term commitment to support Ukraine militarily.

On the opening day of the Conference, the speakers will discuss the strategic autonomy of the EU as regards foreign and defence policy challenges, with a special focus on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Rusan Stefanchuk will deliver a video message to the Conference. On Tuesday, strengthening the European Union, including the new fiscal rules of the EU and the activities of the Economic and Monetary Union, will be discussed.

During the Conference in Palma, Hussar will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts to discuss further support to Ukraine and wider cooperation. The President of the Riigikogu will have meetings with President of the Bundesrat of Germany Manuela Schwesig, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of France Valérie Rabault and Speaker of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom John McFall, as well as with Vice President of the National Assembly of Serbia Elvira Kovács and Speaker of the National Assembly of Slovenia Urška Klakočar Zupančič.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar discusses strengthening of the EU and situation in Ukraine with EU Speakers

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Nearly 6000 people visited the Riigikogu Open House Day

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Many visitors came from foreign countries, like Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Ukraine.

The Open House Day started with a musical greeting by the Pipe Band of the Defence League Sakala Unit on the balcony of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar welcomed the visitors in the courtyard of the Castle.

The representative rooms and working rooms of the Riigikogu as well as the offices of parliamentary groups, where the people could meet the members of the Riigikogu, were open all day. Guided tours of the Riigikogu and visits to the Tall Hermann Tower were very popular among guests. Members of the Riigikogu Yoko Alender, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, Eduard Odinets, Anti Poolamets, Pipi-Liis Siemann and Kristo Enn Vaga were among tour guides. The guided tours were conducted in Estonian, English and Russian, as well as Ukrainian and the Estonian sign language.

Members of the Riigikogu Vadim Belobrovtsev, Eduard Odinets, Liisa Pakosta, Henn Põlluaas, Pipi-Liis Siemann and Riina Solman participated in a debate on integration held in the café of the Riigikogu. The discussion was moderated by Urmas Vaino.

Five school teams and two Riigikogu teams took part in the traditional Open House Day Quiz. The first prize went to team Riigikogu 1, which consisted of members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller, Andrei Korobeinik, Eerik-Niiles Kross and Peeter Tali. The third prize and the title of the best school team went to the team of Rakvere State Upper Secondary School (Ainar Tropp, Henri Ljaš, Mikk Bobõlski and Liisi Mülla). The quiz was prepared and conducted by acknowledged quiz players Indrek Salis and Aare Olander.

To mark the Cultural Diversity Year, the Estonian Open Air Museum had set up workshops by Kuie School, and offered a typical interwar selection of goods from Lau village shop. In the workshops of the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union, the guests had the possibility to make a good luck cross, a whirligig and a himmeli (reed decoration), and to weave a heart braid.

Tallinn Central Library with its activity and language games and Katarina Jee Mobile Library was also present. The National Library of Estonia gave guests the opportunity to test their knowledge. The State Elder August Rei Foundation offered the possibility to complete a crash course in Estonian history and take a picture against the backdrop of August Rei photo wall. The day was closed with Good Mood Concert by folk music group EHALE.

With the Open House Day, the Riigikogu celebrated its 105th anniversary. The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. Since 1999, the Riigikogu commemorates this event with an Open House Day. This year, the Open House Day took place for the 24th time.

Photos (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: Nearly 6000 people visited the Riigikogu Open House Day

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Baltic Speakers to the Speaker of the House of Representatives: US aid to Ukraine is indispensable

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Seimas of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen thanked Johnson for his personal leadership in setting the path for the Congress to demonstrate historic bipartisan unity in support of the collective efforts to assist Ukraine. “Europe is taking historic steps to strengthen its defence capabilities, but this inevitably takes time – time that Ukraine does not have. That is why US aid is indispensable at this crucial juncture before Europe’s ability to defend itself has come into its own and we do even more to help Ukraine,” they said.

The Speakers expressed hope that the Congress would make the right decision and approve the assistance package to Ukraine that it so urgently needed, for the sake of standing up to tyrants and aggressors and for the sake of our collective security. “Supporting Ukraine is an investment in our collective secure future. As you yourself put it, there are moments in time when we simply have to do the right thing, even if it is difficult,” they pointed out in the letter sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

According to the Baltic Speakers, our joint assistance has helped to stop the aggressor and liberate a large share of previously occupied territories of Ukraine, but the Russia threat continues to be imminent. This is why they welcome the USA’s convincing leadership and dedication to freedom and security in Europe. “Today, the world is rapidly moving towards the destruction of the world order. We feel this more and more every day in Europe as Russia and other malign actors use every and all, including hybrid, tools at their disposal to destabilize us. We see it as our responsibility and our task to prevent this descent into chaos and impunity,” they said.

The Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Speakers pointed out that their countries were committed to further increasing their support to Ukraine and its defence forces, seeing it as a considerable investment in our individual and collective security. “The axis of evil must be defeated, and all perpetrators brought to justice. This will serve as a significant deterrent to further conflicts and will return a sense of control and security to our peoples,” they said.

Text of the joint letter 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: Baltic Speakers to the Speaker of the House of Representatives: US aid to Ukraine is indispensable

Source: Parliament of Estonia

European Union Affairs Committee discusses facilitating the development of AI for small businesses at public sitting

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta said that the Committee planned to discuss how to support Europe’s competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence, and how to give Estonian small enterprises and start-ups that develop artificial intelligence the opportunity to use EU supercomputers to train their artificial intelligence models.

“We will speak about one possibility of how we can climb out of the hole together and become stronger. The European Union is taking backwardness of economy seriously and one way to overcome this is to support businesses in using supercomputers. Figuratively speaking, Europe is putting money into super-powerful computers, but regulating their use so that start-ups and small enterprises would also have the capacity to use super-power to make their business succeed. During the debate, we will also address the foundations for establishing innovative artificial intelligence factories,” Pakosta said. She added that the public discussion could also be used as teaching material, as the Committee would demonstrate in greater detail how the Riigikogu worked with EU draft legislation.

Deputy Secretary General on Planning and Administrative Matters Henry Kattago, Head of Research Infrastructures Aile Tamm and Adviser for EU Research Affairs Piret Sütt from the Ministry of Education and Research, and Head of High Performance Computing Center of the University of Tartu Ivar Koppel will give an overview of the initiative. Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Estonia Jane Õispuu as well as the students of European studies and law of the University of Tartu have also been invited to attend the sitting.

The off-site sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu at the University of Tartu will begin at 11.45 a.m., and the first item on the agenda is hearing the opinions of the young people on the impact of the EU fundamental rights strategies on Estonia. The strategies for people with disabilities, LGBTIQ and gender equality will be discussed. Students of the School of Law of the University of Tartu and Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Estonia Jane Õispuu have been invited to attend the discussion.

“We consider it very important to hear the opinions of the young people, especially on the issues relating to fundamental rights,” Pakosta emphasised. She pointed out that this was the first time that the EU affairs committee was listening to the opinions of young people, and the debate was also very important because the European Union Affairs Committee had not yet held an in-depth discussion on the development plans for people with disabilities, LGBTIQ and gender equality.

Members of the press, There is an opportunity for interviews at the School of Law of the University of Tartu (Näituse 13a) after the discussion of the first item on the agenda, at around 1.30 p.m., and after the end of the sitting, at around 4 p.m. Please let us know if you wish to attend the sitting.

The public sitting starts at 2.30 p.m. and can be followed online on the Riigikogu web page. Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191

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

Link uudisele: European Union Affairs Committee discusses facilitating the development of AI for small businesses at public sitting

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Chairmen of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees emphasise the importance of supporting Ukraine at a joint visit to Los Angeles

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

On Friday, Mihkelson and the Chairman of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Committee Rihards Kols will meet with Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles Erin Bromaghim, visit the University of Southern California, and take part in two panel discussions to talk about the price of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and its wider impact on the global security situation.

On Saturday, the two will be joined by their Lithuanian colleague Žygimantas Pavilionis. Over two days, the schedule of the visit includes several meetings with members of the US Congress to urge the Congress to adopt the Ukraine aid package, possibly as early as this weekend. They will also meet the Ukrainian community in Los Angeles and speak at the Baltic American Freedom League Awards Banquet.

Next Wednesday and Thursday, the Baltic Chairmen will meet again in Berlin, Germany.

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

Link uudisele: The Chairmen of Baltic Foreign Affairs Committees emphasise the importance of supporting Ukraine at a joint visit to Los Angeles

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Madis Kallas becomes a member of the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

There are changes in the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) related to the election of Jevgeni Ossinovski as the Mayor of Tallinn and the release of Madis Kallas from his duties of a member of the Government.

The Board of the Riigikogu decided that after the resignation of Member of the Riigikogu Madle Lippus, substitute member of the Riigikogu Kairit Pihlak would assume membership of the Riigikogu on 17 April.

Due to the release of Madis Kallas from his duties of a member of the Government of the Republic and the restoration of his authority of a member of the Riigikogu on 17 April, Kairit Pihlak’s right to become a substitute member will not be realised.

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

Link uudisele: Madis Kallas becomes a member of the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu Open House Day is dedicated to the Cultural Diversity Year

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu Open House Day will begin with a musical greeting by the Pipe Band of the Defence League Sakala Unit on the balcony of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar will welcome the guests.

Throughout the day, there will be guided tours of Toompea Castle, you can meet members of the Riigikogu and see the rooms of parliamentary groups, and visit the Tall Hermann Tower.

Members of the Riigikogu Vadim Belobrovtsev, Liisa Pakosta, Eduard Odinets, Henn Põlluaas, Pipi-Liis Siemann and Riina Solman will hold a debate on integration in the café of the Riigikogu. The discussion will be moderated by Urmas Vaino.

A traditional quiz between teams from schools and the Riigikogu will take place in the Conference Hall. The Riigikogu teams will include members of the Riigikogu Yoko Alender, Arvo Aller, Enn Eesmaa, Andre Hanimägi, Andrei Korobeinik and Peeter Tali.

Members of the Riigikogu Anti Poolamets, Pipi-Liis Siemann and Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski will be tour guides.

To mark the Cultural Diversity Year, the Estonian Open Air Museum will set up workshops by Kuie School, and offer a typical inter-war selection of goods from Lau village shop. In the workshops of the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union, you can make a good luck cross, a whirligig, a straw mobile and weave a heart braid.

Tallinn Central Library with its activity and language games and Katarina Jee Mobile Library will also be at Toompea. The National Library of Estonia will give the guests the opportunity to test their knowledge. The State Elder August Rei Foundation will offer the possibility to complete a crash course in Estonian history and take a picture against the backdrop of August Rei photo wall.

The day will close with Good Mood Concert by folk music group EHALE.

The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. The Riigikogu commemorates this event with its annual Open House Day, which this year takes place for the 24th time.

Entry and all activities and events are free.

The Riigikogu Open House Day programme.

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

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu Open House Day is dedicated to the Cultural Diversity Year

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar discussed online voting and digital cooperation with Prime Minister of Andorra

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said that Andorra’s interest in Estonia’s digital solutions was welcome. At the meeting, the e-services offered in Estonia as well as online voting, which has been in use for almost 20 years, and where it is also planned to create a mobile voting option soon, were discussed. The relevant Bill will come to the second reading in the plenary tomorrow.

Support to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, which continues a war of aggression, was also spoken about. “The situation on the front is very difficult and there is a serious shortage of both ammunition and weapons. Continued support for Ukraine from Western allies, including the United States, is crucial at the moment,” Hussar said, recalling that a month and a half ago, the Speakers of the parliaments of 19 European countries sent a joint letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, in which they highlighted the need for assistance and called on making even more efforts to support Ukraine.

Hussar also emphasised the importance of using Russia’s frozen assets to compensate the war damage caused to Ukraine. He said that the Riigikogu was continuing proceedings on the Bill allowing the use of Russia’s assets frozen under international sanctions.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included the economic situation, relations with the European Union, cooperation between the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States, joint regional projects, and strengthening interparliamentary cooperation in international organisations. Chair of the Finance Committee of the Riigikogu Annely Akkermann also participated in the meeting with the Prime Minister of Andorra.

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 discussed online voting and digital cooperation with Prime Minister of Andorra

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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