ESTONIA

The European Union Affairs Committee discusses pact on migration and situation in Ukraine in Madrid

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Member of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Luisa Rõivas said that the most important debate of the COSAC Plenary Meeting would be on Ukraine. She pointed out that encouraging and supporting Ukraine in the process of accession to the EU and in carrying out the reforms necessary for that was a part of the EU’s long-term support to Ukraine.

“The European Commission’s recommendation is to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Estonia can and must use its experience to help Ukraine and Moldova prepare for accession. The prospect of joining the European Union gives these countries hope and motivation to carry out major reforms and fight for the freedom of a country that carries European values,” Rõivas said. She added that it was necessary to support Ukraine in every way and to continue with pressure on Russia by implementing sanctions and tightening them.

In the opinion of member of the Committee Anti Poolamets, the debate on migration and asylum reform is also important. “The European Union has to do more to address migration pressure,” Poolamets underlined. He thinks that it is necessary to update common regulatory framework and to avoid overcrowding asylum centres with migrants who do not need international protection. “In order to increase security, it is necessary to strengthen the external borders of the EU and to check those who cross the border. The European Union also needs to keep a close eye on migration attacks against Finland and Estonia and support them against Russia’s aggressive behaviour,” Poolamets said.

The agenda of the COSAC Plenary Meeting for today includes overview of the achievements of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the pact on migration, and a debate on energy crisis and green transition Tomorrow, the COSAC Plenary Meeting will focus on situation in Ukraine and the relations of the country with the European Union, as well as strategic autonomy of the EU and relations with Latin America.

The Plenary Meeting of the Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) takes place in Madrid, Spain, on 26–28 November. The Estonian delegation consists of the members of the European Union Affairs Committee Luisa Rõivas, Kadri Tali, Anti Poolamets, Maido Ruusmann and Katrin Kuusemäe.

COSAC is a cooperation format that brings together the Committees for Union Affairs of the national parliaments of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee discusses pact on migration and situation in Ukraine in Madrid

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson participates in Holodomor Memorial Day events in Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson said that the victims of the Great Ukrainian Famine were commemorated when Russia was continuing the war of aggression against Ukraine. “In 1993, Estonia was the first country to declare the great famine of 1932–1933 a genocide against the Ukrainian people. Last year, the Riigikogu recognised the actions committed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the military aggression against Ukraine as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation,” he stated.

Today, Mihkelson will participate in a joint prayer service on the occasion of the Holodomor Memorial Day and the ceremony of lighting of candles at the Memorial to the Victims of Holodomor. Together with the heads of international delegations, Mihkelson will also meet with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visit the Verkhovna Rada, where he will attend the sitting of the Parliament and meet Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk and Chairman of the Committee on Matters of Foreign Policy and Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Oleksandr Merezhko.

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

Link uudisele: Mihkelson participates in Holodomor Memorial Day events in Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Estonia passed the presidency of the Baltic Assembly on to Lithuania

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

President of the Baltic Assembly and Head of the Estonian Delegation Timo Suslov, who chaired the Session, thanked the neighbours for excellent cooperation. “Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have together become a force to be reckoned with, having a real impact on world politics – and this cooperation will continue. We will also continue to work to make the Baltic States secure, connected and innovative, and we will hand over the BA Presidency to Lithuania with dignity,” he said.

The Baltic Council, the cooperation assembly of the governments and the parliaments of the Baltic States, also held its sitting today. Chairman of the Baltic Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna emphasised at the meeting of the Baltic Council that the Baltic States were standing together in defence the gates of the Western world. The Foreign Minister believes that at the moment the Baltic States should focus on increasing the cost of aggression for Russia. He also underlined that Ukraine’s future was in NATO and the European Union, and the allies had to jointly support Kyiv on this path.

At the end of the BA Session, the Resolution was adopted, the Final Document was signed, and also the BA budget and working plan for the next year were adopted. Estonia passed the presidency of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers on to Lithuania. The new President of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas addressed the Assembly and gave an overview of Lithuania’s priorities during its presidency under the motto ‘Growing strong and resilient together’.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu, Annika Haas)
Full text of the Resolution (PDF, 236 kB)
Full text of the Final Document (PDF, 132 kB).

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

Link uudisele: Estonia passed the presidency of the Baltic Assembly on to Lithuania

Source: Parliament of Estonia

42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly was opened at the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

President of the Baltic Assembly (BA) Timo Suslov declared the Session open and asked everybody to rise for a moment of silence for long-time Head of the Estonian Delegation to the BA and President of the BA Aadu Must, who passed away this year.

President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar stated in his opening speech that since Russia’s act of aggression, the Baltic States have distinguished themselves in the field of security, and have cooperated more closely than ever before. As a result of this tireless persuasion, the twelfth package of sanctions against Russia is currently being prepared at the EU level, NATO’s policy towards Russia has changed, Russia has been expelled from the Council of Europe and voted out of the UN Human Rights Council. “In cooperation with other supporters of Ukraine, we must continue with isolating the aggressor state internationally and keep working to hold Russia accountable for all the crimes committed in Ukraine,” he said.

“With this in mind, a Bill initiated by the Government of the Republic of Estonia is in the legislative proceedings of the Riigikogu that will create for Estonia, and as a precedent, also for Europe, a legal mechanism to use Russia’s assets frozen under international sanctions to compensate the war damages caused to Ukraine. We have called for establishing such a mechanism in the EU for a long time, but now we are ready to lead the way for Europe and the wider world with our actions,” Hussar said. “Our contribution to the national, regional and allied security starts with the conscious responsibility of each individual in developing and protecting democracy and the rule of law. We need the contribution of every single person because by thinking and acting together we will achieve better results.“

At the opening of the Session, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Antoņina Ņenaševa and Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen also delivered speeches. President of the BA Timo Suslov gave an overview of Estonia’s year of presidency of the Baltic Assembly.

“The year of the Estonian presidency of the BA has been marked by the continuation of building a resilient, secure, reliable and sustainable Baltic region. This is especially important as there is a war going on in Europe. On the one hand, Russia’s war in Ukraine made the Baltic States reassess their security and encouraged us to patch up the gaps in the security capabilities of our countries. At the same time, the Baltic States must remain united and unwaveringly strong in their support for Ukraine and work to expose the true face of Russia,” Suslov underlined. “We warned time and again about Russia, but unfortunately no one believed us. Now, seeing that the parties are getting tired and priorities are changing, we, the Baltic parliamentarians, must continue this important work with determination and consistently.”

Suslov added that such organisations of parliamentary cooperation like the Baltic Assembly were of help in resolving global crises and he was happy to note that over the years, the Baltic Assembly had proven to be an excellent way to bring together parliamentarians from different parts of the world.

The BA Session is chaired by President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov and Vice Presidents of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas and Jānis Vucāns.

The 29th meeting of the Baltic Council, the cooperation assembly of the Governments and the parliaments of the Baltic States, also takes place today. The sitting of the Baltic Council is chaired by Chairman of the Co-operation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna and President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš will deliver speeches.

At 1 p.m., a press conference will be held in the White Hall of the Riigikogu, where it will be possible to pose questions to the heads of delegations and the foreign ministers of the Baltic States. Immediately before the press conference, the President of the BA and Chair of the Baltic Council of Ministers will sign the Joint Statement of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers.

The BA session will continue in the afternoon. At the afternoon session, the impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on economy as well as effective civil defence will be discussed. At the end of the Session, new President of the BA will be elected, the final documents of the Baltic Assembly will be signed and Estonia will pass the presidency of the Baltic Assembly on to Lithuania.

The Baltic Assembly (Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania) is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States which discusses issues of mutual interest. The Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA is Timo Suslov, the Deputy Head is Enn Eesmaa. The members of the delegation are Arvo Aller, Karmen Joller, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Priit Lomp, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali.

Photos of the opening of the Session. (Erik Peinar. The photos will be uploaded with a delay.)

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

Link uudisele: 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly was opened at the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar acknowledged the security cooperation of the Baltic States

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meeting that the cooperation of the Baltic States during the Estonian presidency of the Baltic Assembly had been excellent both at the level of the parliaments and the committees. However, he thinks that there are areas where cooperation could be improved.

“Undoubtedly, cooperation in the field of security and defence has been very effective and we as a region have played an important role in supporting Ukraine and exerting maximum diplomatic, political and economic pressure on Russia,” he said, and expressed confidence that the Baltic States would continue to fully support Ukraine as long as it is necessary.

Hussar highlighted the cooperation of the Baltic States also in the field of digital and cyber security, and underlined the importance of completing the construction of Rail Baltic. “Rail Baltic has been a priority for us because it not only increases the connectivity of our region but it also has a great military mobility potential,” he pointed out.

In his opinion, cooperation could be better in the energy sector. “We must put more emphasis on desynchronisation of power grids and developing of local sustainable energy production in order to accelerate the transition to green energy and prepare a long-term strategy for the energy security and independence of the Baltic States,” Hussar said.

Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and Deputy Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Antoņina Ņenaševa are in Tallinn, Estonia, for the42nd Session of Baltic Assembly which is held in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu today. Today, they will also visit the Cultural and Educational Centre Viimsi Artium together with Hussar.

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 acknowledged the security cooperation of the Baltic States

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees condemn the rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim violence

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

“We, the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees of our respective national parliaments, condemn the surge in hate and violence plaguing our nations and the world since Hamas’ horrific attack against Israel on October 7. We are witnessing an alarming rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim bigotry and violence that has included acts of online hate, verbal assaults, vandalism, desecration of Holocaust memorials and cemeteries, intimidation, death threats, and physical attacks,” the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees state.

The statement points out that antisemitic hate crime investigations have tripled in New York and London over the past month in comparison to last year, and, for example, in France, 1040 antisemitic incidents were documented in the month following the attack. Jewish and Muslim community organizations have reported of incidents in many countries, and Jewish and Muslim individuals that are easily identified have been disproportionately targeted, the statement says.

“None of this is acceptable. As stated by the European Commission, ‘No one should live in fear of discrimination or violence because of their religion or their identity.’ We urge our governments to intensify all efforts to safeguard Jewish and Muslim communities, to condemn these actions when they occur, and to implement our national strategies to combat the dark tide of bigotry and hatred,” the Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees  say in the joint statement.

The statement is signed by the foreign affairs committee chairs of Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the European Parliament, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson signed the statement on behalf of Estonia.

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

Link uudisele: Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees condemn the rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim violence

Source: Parliament of Estonia

42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly focuses on economic impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and on civil defence

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

President of the Baltic Assembly (BA) Timo Suslov thinks that the year of the Estonian presidency of the BA has been marked by the continuation of building a resilient, secure, reliable and sustainable Baltic region. “This is especially important as there is a war going on in Europe. On the one hand, Russia’s war in Ukraine made the Baltic States reassess their security and encouraged us to patch up the gaps in the security capabilities of our countries. At the same time, the Baltic States must remain united and unwaveringly strong in their support for Ukraine and work to expose the true face of Russia,” Suslov underlined. “We warned time and again about Russia, but unfortunately no one believed us. Now, seeing that the parties are getting tired and priorities are changing, we, the Baltic parliamentarians, must continue this important work with determination and consistently.”

Suslov added that such organisations of parliamentary cooperation like the Baltic Assembly were of help in resolving global crises and he was happy to note that over the years, the Baltic Assembly had proven to be an excellent way to bring together parliamentarians from different parts of the world.

The meeting of parliamentarians will begin today with an award ceremony where the Baltic Assembly prizes and medals are awarded. This year, the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts went to to Estonian artist Peeter Laurits for his outstanding and diverse artistic work and the project ‘Biotoopia’. The Prize in Literature was awarded to Lithuanian translator and poet Antanas A. Jonynas for his collection of sonnets “Naujieji sonetai”. The Prize in Science was awarded to Latvian musicologist Arnolds Laimonis Klotiņš for his monographs on music and creative life in post-war Stalinist Latvia and the Latvian music life in exile in Europe during the same period. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. at the Concert Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

Tomorrow, the meeting of the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly and the Speakers of the national parliaments of the Baltic States will take place in the Riigikogu. After that, at 10 a.m., the 42nd Session of the BA will be opened. At the opening of the Session, the speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States will deliver speeches. The Session will be chaired by the President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov and Vice-Presidents of the BA Andrius Kupčinskas and Jānis Vucāns.

The Baltic Council, the cooperation assembly of the Governments and the parliaments of the Baltic States, will hold its 29th meeting on Friday. The sitting of the Baltic Council will be chaired by Chairman of the Co-operation Council of the Baltic Council of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia , Margus Tsahkna and President of the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis and Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš will also deliver speeches.

On Friday at 1 p.m., a press conference will be held in the White Hall of the Riigikogu, where it will be possible to pose questions to the heads of delegations and the foreign ministers of the Baltic States. Immediately before the press conference, the President of the BA and Chair of the Baltic Council of Ministers will sign the Joint Statement of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers.

The BA session will continue in the afternoon. At the afternoon session, the impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on economy as well as effective civil defence will be discussed. At the end of the session, the new President of the Baltic Assembly will be elected, and the Resolution and the final documents of the 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly will be signed. After the end of the Session, Estonia will hand over the presidency of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council of Ministers to Lithuania.

The Baltic Assembly (Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania) is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States which discusses issues of mutual interest. The Head of the Estonian delegation to the BA is Timo Suslov, the Deputy Head is Enn Eesmaa. The members of the delegation are Arvo Aller, Karmen Joller, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Priit Lomp, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali.

Members of the press are welcome to cover all these events. Please notify us of your wish to participate at maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee.

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

Link uudisele: 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly focuses on economic impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and on civil defence

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The deliberation of a Bill which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government was adjourned in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The deliberation of the Bill on Amendments to the Social Welfare Act and Other Acts (295 SE), initiated by the Government, which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government before the second reading, was adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the sitting and will continue at tomorrow’s sitting. According to the Bill, the support to people who resettle from abroad will no longer be paid to people who will settle in Estonia after 1 January 2024 and the grant of the support will be terminated on 1 April 2029. At present, 36 people are receiving the support.

According to the Bill, it had initially been planned to allow the Social Insurance Board to refuse home delivery of a benefit if any other benefit was being paid to the current account of the beneficiary. Under an amendment made to the Bill before the second reading, the relevant provisions will be omitted from the Bill and the principle currently in force will not be changed. This means that, in the future, it will also be possible for example to have pension delivered to home by post, even if the Social Insurance Board is paying another benefit to the current account of the beneficiary.

An amendment was also made to the Bill to specify issues relating to the funding of the special welfare service and the conclusion of the contract for the provision of the service and to amend the bases for the service of supported employment. People with special needs have got protected employment within the framework of a pilot project so far but as the trial period is ending, the Bill is intended to ensure the service of supported employment as a state service starting from next year. The amendments will help the Social Insurance Board ensure people with special needs a smoother transition to the new service from the start of the new budget year. With the specification of the content of the employment support service, a clearer description of the service will be established which will formulate the opportunity to provide employment in protected conditions and at service providers for people who do not take up independent employment. A total of 6.11 million euro worth of additional funds are planned to be allocated to the base budget for special welfare services under the State Budget for 2024 Bill. At least 170 places for receipt of the employment support service are also planned to be financed from them.

In addition, the time of entry into force of the amendments relating to the closed child care institution service is postponed by a year with a motion to amend. According to amendments passed earlier, it was intended to transfer the closed child care institution service provided at Maarjamaa Educational College, as well as its budget and real estate from the area of administration of the Ministry of Education and Research to the area of administration of the Ministry of Social Affairs, and to change the current organisation of the service. The preparations necessary for the comprehensive transfer of the service have been taking longer however and it will be impossible to transfer the organisation of the service from 1 July 2024, and therefore the time of entry into force of the amendments relating to the closed child care institution service will be postponed by a year until 1 July 2025.

The Bill initiated by the Government had passed the first reading on 18 October, and members of the Riigikogu had submitted 50 motions to amend it by the deadline. On 16 November, the Government had decided to declare the passing of the Bill a matter of confidence in the Government before the second reading and thereby also taken over the duties of the lead committee. Motions to amend a Bill that has been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government are not put to a vote.

At the second reading of the Bill, a representative of the Government, the Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo presented a comment. Each member of the Riigikogu could ask up to two oral questions of her. Thereafter, the debate began where Rain Epler, Leo Kunnas, Helle-Moonika Helme, Jaak Valge, Kert Kingo, Rene Kokk and Arvo Aller from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Andrei Korobeinik from the Estonian Centre Party Group and Riina Solman from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor. The debate where all members of the Riigikogu can take the floor will continue at Wednesday’s sitting. After the end of the debate, a final vote on the Bill will be held.

The deliberation of the Bill on Amendments to the Medicinal Products Act and the Health Services Organisation Act (beginner’s allowances) (293 SE) and the Bill on Amendments to the Health Insurance Act (294 SE) which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government before the second reading was also deferred to the agenda for tomorrow’s sitting due to the end of the working hours of the sitting.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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

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

Link uudisele: The deliberation of a Bill which had been declared to be a matter of confidence in the Government was adjourned in the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu heard ministers’ replies to three interpellations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Minister of Justice replied that VAT was a general consumption tax for gaining state budget revenue. “The most important thing is to understand in what security environment we are living today and one important goal when raising VAT by two percentage points is definitely thereby also to raise national defence spending, which will amount to the order of 1.3 billion euro in 2024,” he explained.

When referring to national defence spending, Laanet pointed out that the situation in Ukraine and the security situation across our borders had not changed in any way. “We here in Estonia are facing an exactly similar threat of Russia attacking Estonia as well at some point. It has not disappeared anywhere. So, consequently, it is definitely our duty together with all taxpayers to increase the capacity of our national defence,” the Minister of Justice added.

As another reason, the minister pointed out that, since the state budget was out of balance, one of the aims of the relevant amendment was also to move towards balance through increasing state revenue. “The third additional purpose might be to reduce VAT derogations to make the tax system more efficient and to treat taxpayers more equally,” he said in conclusion.

The Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet also replied to the interpellation concerning gender neutrality (No. 302).

The Minister of Culture Heidy Purga replied to the interpellation concerning transparency of the legislative process (No. 151).

The interpellations concerning the rise in VAT (No. 371) and income tax (No. 374) were not deliberated because of the absence of the interpellator.

At the request of the initiators, the interpellations concerning deceitful policy (No. 80, No. 86), the establishment of a car tax (No. 249, No. 359, No. 364) and transparency of the legislative process (No. 282) were excluded from the agenda for today’s sitting.

The initiators withdrew the interpellations concerning the impact of the green transition in the area of administration of the Ministry of Culture (No. 135) and the rise in VAT (No. 233, No. 236) and the integral impact of the tax package (No. 143).

The sitting ended at 4.44 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
Eleen Lindmaa
+372 631 6456, +372 5551 4433
eleen.lindmaa@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu heard ministers’ replies to three interpellations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee supports lowering of voting age for the Riigikogu and European Parliament elections

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Member of the European Union Affairs Committee Kristo Enn Vaga underlined that the EU initiatives had a long-term impact, so it was reasonable that young people, whom the adopted decisions would influence, should also have a say in shaping them. “Greater involvement of young people in EU decision-making through lowering the voting age will give us a more innovative and bold Union in the future, which will, for example, promote economic growth through sustainable development and greater digitalisation,” he said.

Vaga noted that lowering the voting age for the European Parliament elections was much easier, as it only required amending an Act, while lowering the voting age for the Riigikogu elections required changing the Constitution.

According to Estonia’s position, it is important to support the civic participation of all young people and to protect their rights at local, national and EU level. Giving the young people aged 16 and 17 the right to take part in the Riigikogu and European Parliament elections would help strengthen the role of young people in decision-making process.

Estonia also considers it important to systematically involve young people from different backgrounds in policy-making. It is also pointed out in Estonia’s position that when assessing the impact of new EU initiatives, young people’s interest groups should be considered and efforts should be made to ensure that the instruments of better policy-making take into account the widest possible target group, including young people with fewer opportunities.

The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve Estonia’s positions as amended for the meeting of the council of education and youth ministers in Brussels on Thursday. The Committee added to the positions the principle that a consensus will be sought at national level to allow young people to elect members of the European Parliament in addition to members of the Riigikogu.

Head of EU coordination at the Ministry of Education and Research Ülle Kurvits participated in the discussion of this agenda item.

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

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee supports lowering of voting age for the Riigikogu and European Parliament elections

Source: Parliament of Estonia

1...505152...159Page 51 of 159