In the food prices, the share of traders has increased the most and the share of primary producers has fallen. Chairman of the Rural Affairs Committee Urmas Kruuse thinks that the supermarket chains have a great power to put pressure on prices, because they have the consumer in their hands. “If trade’s share in the price distribution in the supply chain remains so high for a long time, the investments of industries and farmers will come under pressure and it will be difficult to stay in competition, which could lead to a further decline in the share of Estonian food in shops,” he explained.
Kruuse pointed out that the food producers are constantly increasing their efficiency, while at the same time the trade sector is busy expanding and staying open 24/7. “This raises the question who pays for all this – it seems inevitable that in the end it will be felt by the consumer in their grocery shopping cart,” he added.
Director of the Estonian Institute of Economic Research Peeter Raudsepp and Head of the Agricultural Policy Department of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Kristel Maidre participated in the sitting of the Rural Affairs Committee.
The head of the Estonian delegation to PACE Liisa Pakosta defines the focus of the visit as making effort to convince the parliamentarians of other European countries to join forces against Russia’s cruelty, the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. “The foundational values of the PACE are human rights, democracy, and strengthening the rule of law, and we need to act to keep it this way,” she said.
The Riigikogu is currently drafting a statement which clearly details the violation of international law and condemns Russia’s activities that have a tragic effect on innocent children. “Not only do we have to condemn the deportation of children, we also need to emphasise Russia’s culpability for crimes against humanity,” Pakosta said, also highlighting the importance of the International Criminal Court in prosecuting war criminals.
She also expressed support to the 10-point peace plan of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which includes the return of the deported children from Russia. “As European citizens, we have the moral duty to show that we are not all right with Russia’s cruelty against defenceless children in any way or form,” Pakosta said.
The PACE Assembly will be electing a new President at its session because the term of office of the current President Tiny Kox is ending. A new Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights will also be elected.
This week, the session will also discuss the conclusions from observing last year’s parliamentary elections in Serbia, Hamas terror attack against Israel and Israel’s response, as well as OECD’s role since Russia launched its aggression against Ukraine. The agenda also includes accusations of systematic torture in European custodial institutions. In addition, there is an ongoing debate about the democratic future of Belarus, with a speech by the leader of the democratic opposition of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
The Estonian delegation will take the opportunity to show its support to the candidacy of the long-term member of the Estonian delegation to PACE Indrek Saar to the position of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the elections to be held this June. Other candidates to the position are Didier Reynders and Alain Berset.
The Estonian delegation to the session of the PACE is made up of its head Liisa Pakosta, member Eerik-Niiles Kross, and Reili Rand who has been appointed an alternate member.
In light of allegations of massive electoral manipulations, the parliamentarians call on the EU to conduct an independent investigation of all reported election irregularities and claims of fraud during the elections that took place on 17 December. “Our common goal is to see Serbia as a member of the European Union within this decade. A necessary requirement for this is a functioning democracy and the rule of law. The massive electoral manipulations observed by the international election observation mission and independent civil society observers are clear violations of the principles of free, equal, and secret elections and incompatible with this requirement,” the parliamentarians write, and add that this raises grave concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral results.
According to the open letter, these events and the repressive state response in their aftermath indicate a further escalation in the autocratic development of the country. “This development includes Serbia’s continued cooperation with the Russian Federation regardless of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This poses a critical threat towards the stability of the entire Western Balkans. If there is no common European response now, it will invite similar actions by actors in neighbouring states in the future,” the European parliamentarians state in the open letter.
The parliamentarians call on the EU to support an independent investigation by the European Parliament into the allegations of electoral manipulation, to draft a list of recommendations to ensure free, equal, and secret elections, and a conditioning of further funding and progress in the accession process on their implementation before the next elections. Depending on the findings of the investigation, they invite the EU to call for a repetition of the elections.
The open letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Council, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the EU Special Representative has been signed by 24 parliamentarians from Czechia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson signed the open letter on behalf of Estonia.
The Bill on Amendments to the Water Act (346 SE), initiated by the Government, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. It will include the provisions necessary to produce and use reclaimed water in the Act. The Bill will create the possibility to transfer used water, for example, treated effluent, quarry water, and mining water, after it will have been additionally treated, to businesses who will use it in agriculture, in the creation of green areas, in street cleaning, and in industrial processes. According to the Bill, the production of reclaimed water will require a water permit and the use of reclaimed water will bring about a registration obligation.
The environmental burden of the water discharged into recipients will decrease on account of the water directed to recovery. An average of 2,190 tons of nitrogen and 58 tons of phosphorus are discharged into recipients through outlets in a year. Upon the production and use of reclaimed water, the nutrient load on water bodies will decrease in correlation to how much reclaimed water will be put to use. Less water will be extracted from groundwater and surface water on account of the quantities of reclaimed water which will help save clean water resource.
During the debate, Tiit Maran from the Social Democratic Party Group, Züleyxa Izmailova from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group and Evelin Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor.
The Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading, but the plenary did not support the motion. 12 members of the Riigikogu supported rejection and 63 were against.
Two drafts were dropped from legislative proceedings
The Riigikogu did not support the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to remove the statue of ‘the Bronze Soldier’ from the public space” (104 OE), submitted by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group. It was intended to make a proposal to the Government to remove the statue of the Bronze Soldier from the Defence Forces cemetery and the public space of Estonia within two months.
During the debate, Anti Allas from the Social Democratic Party Group and Juku-Kalle Raid from Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group took the floor.
At the final vote, 14 members of the Riigikogu supported the draft Resolution and 54 were against. Thus, the draft Resolution was not supported and was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Prosecutor’s Office Act (105 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Varro Vooglaid and Martin Helme. It was intended to provide the Ministry of Justice with the possibility to exercise supervisory control over the prosecutor’s office without narrowing restrictions.
Varro Vooglaid from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor during the debate.
54 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee to reject the Bill at the first reading and 15 voted against it. Thus, the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
After the sitting, members of the Riigikogu are planning to form the Resilient Space and Mobility Support Group on the initiative of Member of the Riigikogu Züleyxa Izmailova.
Pakosta addressed the meeting on the enlargement of the European Union, focusing on the need to overcome differences. She reminded her counterparts that enlargement was not about bilateral negotiations and that for the security and future of Europe as a continent, we must rise above this.
“Already today we can see 70 ways where one country has got something against another country, and there is a temptation to veto. But this will get us nowhere. Enlargement is and will be a unanimous decision where all must feel safe, but the newcomers have to be ensured the confidence that we really want enlargement,” she underlined.
Pakosta recalled Estonia’s accession to the European Union. “Our closest neighbour Finland had many concerns, for example the electricity market, but the Finnish government wisely understood that it was advantageous for the Finns to have a stable and secure neighbour, and to achieve this, Estonia must be accepted into the European Union. Estonia wanted to accede and felt that the EU looked forward to our accession. The new countries, starting with Ukraine and Moldova, now also need to feel that they are wanted. Vetoes can be imposed on the opening and closing of all 33 chapters, but please really stop this nonsense of bilateral vetoes,” Pakosta said, calling on EU member states to demonstrate their confidence.
“The credibility of the European Union in the enlargement process will be determined by the proposals for the budget of 2025, which will be the test for new accessions, and therefore we in Estonia must also keep a close eye on whether the budget proposals contain enough finances and whether our offer for accession is thus credible,” Pakosta emphasised.
The impact of the enlargement of the European Union was also on the agenda of today’s joint sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee of the Riigikogu, where it was noted that enlargement was a process that would last for years and would have an impact on institutions, decision-making processes as well as the budget. It was pointed out that if eight or nine countries were to join, this would mean that the Union’s budget would increase by around 15%. Estonia’s contribution would increase by about 60 million per year, as our contribution will be 400 million euro per year in the coming years.
Estonia’s position that we are ready for a larger budget was approved at the sitting. It was decided that, in conclusion, the enlargement of the European Union was a great opportunity in terms of both the internal market and foreign trade.
For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning uniform Estonian school (No. 13), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas, Martin Helme, Rene Kokk, Siim Pohlak, Helle-Moonika Helme, Jaak Valge, Evelin Poolamets, Arvo Aller, Kert Kingo and Mart Helme.
The interpellators asked11 questions about various aspects of the transition to uniform Estonian school. The interpellators referred to the fact that there were already big problems in the current schools where Estonian was the language of instruction. With substantial numbers of children with other languages, this in turn brings problems to teachers.
Kallas explained the situation that had emerged and the action of the Government in the transition to uniform Estonian school. “The provisions of the Constitution stating that the official language of Estonia is Estonian, and everyone has the right to be taught in Estonian are in force,” the Prime Minister emphasised.
Kallas said that the Government had no intention of Russification of Estonian children. “On the contrary, the Government is intending to stop the funding of the education with Russian as the language of instruction and to transfer to uniform education with Estonian as the language of instruction,” she said. Kallas added that, in the transition to uniform education, when choosing the form of study, the child’s proficiency in the language of instruction needed to be take into account, and the study had to be adjusted to the child in terms of language and method. “It is not lawful to allocate a child whose native language is Estonian to a class where instruction in Estonian is intended for children who cannot speak Estonian,” the Prime Minister said.
Kallas underlined that the purpose of the transition to uniform education with Estonian as the language of instruction was that all people in Estonia would be in a single information space and that they would be proficient in Estonian and that there would be increasingly more people who would use Estonian. “So that we would not have two different systems, and we are making efforts to achieve this. This has been a big problem. I likewise agree that this should have been done already a long time ago. Better late than never. It is in any case necessary to move on with this,” the Prime Minister said.
Kallas also replied to interpellations concerning the establishment of a nuclear power station (No. 41), the increase of the indirect fire capability of the war-time Defence Forces (No. 72), immigration (No. 133), the demographic crisis and the resolution thereof (No. 232), the need for and construction of Rail Baltic (No. 262) and a permanent connection with Saaremaa (No. 278).
The Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets replied to the interpellations concerning the use of electronic cigarettes (No. 377), the capacity to ensure internal security in the new situation where uncontrolled immigration has made Estonian people worried about their property and their lives (No. 536), and the misuse of the funds of “Slava Ukraini” and the related investigation (No. 578), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
Kalle Grünthal took the floor during the open microphone.
“We congratulate Taiwan for once again demonstrating the strength of its robust democratic system, which – coupled with a free market economy and a vibrant civil society – makes it a model for the Indo-Pacific region and a force for good in the world,” the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees said in the Joint Statement.
They affirmed that they highly appreciated Taiwan’s contribution to the security, recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine as well as its commitment to maintain cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure.
The Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees pointed out that the systems of governance of our countries were founded on a shared commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and underlined that we were partners bonded by our shared political, economic and international values.
Zelenskyy said in his speech in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu that it was symbolic from the point of view of the history of Estonia and Ukraine that 24 February had acquired a new meaning. “On this day, Estonia celebrates and will always celebrate the independence of its republic. And it was on 24 February when today’s rulers of Russia attempted to renew their old Soviet or Russian or hybrid empire by attacking Ukraine. On 24 February, we did not break – all of us, our people, our friends and all the free world,” he said.
Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine had decided for itself that they would fight, and the free nations of the world supported them. “Some supported from the very beginning, like Estonia, and I am thankful to you for this. Some supported later on, and we also value that. Now, most of the world is on the side of Ukraine, on the side of international law, and against the genocidal aggression of Russia,” he said, and added that 24 February could have changed history towards new enslavement, but history made a turn towards greater freedom, greater independence and greater European resilience than anybody had foreseen.
Zelenskyy underlined how important it was to win this fight that was going on, and not only because it was a fight for Ukrainian people, cities and communities, which Russia is trying to turn into ruins. “We need to win this fight not only because the fate of our state is decided in it, and also the fate of all other states and nations that border on Russia. In this fight, it will be decided what will be the global attitude to freedom at present, and after us and our children and grandchildren. Freedom must know how to win by standing against tyranny,” he said, and added that therefor the war Russia had started against Ukraine had significance for all nations who valued their freedom or who desired to be free.
The President of Ukraine said that he was sincerely grateful that Estonia was with Ukraine. “I thank you for each package of support to our warriors, to our Ukrainian people. Thank you for the weapons with which you have helped. Thank you for the initiatives that indeed actually have an impact on the overall European course! Thank you for your resilience, for pressure on Russia and for making the aggressor really feel that the losses caused by the aggression are their losses,” he said.
Zelenskyy thinks that the whole free world needs to continue putting pressure on Russia. “Each scheme to bypass sanctions that Russia uses has to be blocked. All assets that Russia or the people connected with them have tried to hide in the jurisdictions of the world have to be frozen and used for defending Ukraine against Russian aggression and contributing to Ukraine’s restoration after this war,” he stated, and added that each defence industry that currently existed or could be established in Europe and could help Europe to protect freedom should work 100 per cent.
Zelenskyy also highlighted that Europe would endure only when it was a continent of unity. “We have all demonstrated the highest level of unity. And I am grateful to you for how you defend this unity, how you defend joint interests. I am grateful for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and how you help our people, the Ukrainians. This is also a demonstration of unity, of real Europeanness. And especially for our people who have searched shelter from the war and found it in Estonia. I am thankful to you for this. I am thankful to you for this warmth, for your solidarity with us, and of course for choosing independence and freedom on 24 February,” he said.
President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar said in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu that in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Estonia had stood firmly with Ukraine and would continue to do so. “Your fight is also our fight,” he said, and added, “This war must end with Ukraine’s victory, with the victory of the free world.”
After the speech, the members of the Riigikogu posed for a photo with the President of Ukraine in the Session Hall. Before the speech, the president of Ukraine signed the Riigikogu guest book in the White Hall and posed for official photos with the President of the Riigikogu and the delegation that consisted of members of the Board of the Riigikogu and Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committee, National Defence Committee and European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu as well as the leaders of the Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The Bill on Amendments to the Vital Statistics Registration Act (106 SE), initiated by Member of the Riigikogu Varro Vooglaid, intended to amend the procedure for registering a child in a case where the child is born at home or on the way to a provider of health care services. The Bill would allow the relevant certificate to be issued in such cases by the family doctor.
Under the current legislation, in many cases where a child has been born at home or on the way to the hospital, the parents have found themselves forced to pass a DNA test to prove maternity and use this to apply for the registration of the birth through a court. Despite this, the law does not provide a procedure for proving maternity, and the abovementioned need to take a DNA test is simply a practice that has been adopted by the courts.
During the debate, Helmen Kütt (Social Democratic Party), Anti Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), and Mart Maastik (Isamaa) took the floor on behalf of their parliamentary groups.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 46 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 20 were against it. The Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
At 2 p.m., the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu. The speech can be followed live either in Ukrainian, or with simultaneous interpretation into Estonian or English on the web page of the Riigikogu. After the speech, a family photograph will be taken in the Session Hall with members of the Riigikogu.
The text of the speech can be read later from the verbatim record and the video recording can be viewed on the Riigikogu YouTube channel. Photos will be uploaded as soon as possible (author: (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu).
The Bill on Amendments to the State Assets Act and the Land Cadastre Act (327 SE), initiated by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, was intended to regulate the specifications for the transfer of national defence land by the state.
The Bill proposed that, if the state transfers, at a public auction, an immovable containing a cadastral unit with the intended purpose of national defence land, the detailed spatial plan established for the cadastral unit will be repealed as of the day following the transfer. According to the Bill, the cadastral unit would have become land not designated for a specific purpose in order that the new owner would be able to apply for a relevant intended purpose to be determined for the cadastral unit.
In addition, it was intended to provide that, if a cadastral unit with the intended purpose of national defence land contains construction works intended to be used as internal security or defence forces engineering works, this intended purpose will be repealed as of the day following the transfer of the immovable.
Andres Metsoja from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor during the debate.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 46 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 17 voted against. Thus, the Bill was dropped from the proceedings of the Riigikogu.
The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Prosecutor’s Office Act (105 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Kert Kingo, Varro Vooglaid and Martin Helme, was cancelled due to the absence of the presenter.
After the sitting, Estonia-Angola and Estonia-Montenegro Parliamentary Friendship Groups will be formed on the initiative of Peeter Tali.
