ESTONIA

Peeter Laurits wins the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Biotopia is a series of conferences and art events initiated by Laurits in 2021 with the aim of creating symbiotic contacts between scientists and artists. Head of the Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly Timo Suslov welcomed the results of the competition. “Peeter Laurits is not only a leading photographic artist and a highly versatile creative personality, but also a remarkable social thinker whose activities have made a major contribution to the introduction of new paradigms and the expansion of creative expression,” Suslov said.

The Baltic Assembly Prize in Literature was awarded to Lithuanian translator and poet Antanas A. Jonynas for his collection of poems “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.

Estonia nominated Rein Raud for the BA Prize in Literature for his novel “The Sun Script” (“Päikesekiri”). Professor of Media Studies of the University of Tartu Andra Siibak, whose research work during the last five years has addressed the opportunities and risks surrounding the use of new digital technologies, was nominated for the BA Prize in Science.

The Baltic Assembly Prize consists of a monetary prize, a certificate and a statuette, which are presented every year at the Baltic Assembly session. This year, the Prize Awarding Ceremony will be held during the 42nd Session of the Baltic Assembly, on 23 November in Tallinn, Estonia.

The members of the Joint Jury of the BA Prizes were artists and experts from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (Photo: Baltic Assembly): Karl Martin Sinijärv, Elin Kard, Anu Noorma, Donata Mitaitė, Petras Skirmantas, Valdemaras Razumas, Ilze Jansone, Orests Silabriedis and Valdis Muktupāvels.

The Baltic Assembly has been awarding the Prizes in literature, the arts and science since 1994. The aim of the prizes is to promote the development of these fields in the Baltic States.

Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
 +372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
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Link uudisele: Peeter Laurits wins the Baltic Assembly Prize in the Arts

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Parliamentary Assembly gathers for its annual session in Copenhagen

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

 “Keeping in mind the future of NATO, the most important topic for us is naturally the comprehensive strengthening of NATO’s collective defence, taking into account the threat Russia poses for its neighbouring countries. Developing of defence industries is an important component of that. We will of course also underline the need for rapid ratification of Sweden’s membership, which is essential for ensuring the security of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as the importance of continuing military assistance to Ukraine,” Head of the Estonian Delegation Raimond Kaljulaid said.

Kaljulaid emphasised that support for Ukraine must not diminish, and therefore, we together with our allies had to increase giving military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He added that we also had to support Ukraine in the post-war reconstruction of the state as well as on its path to the European Union and NATO.

Within the framework of the Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Copenhagen, the Estonian delegation to the NATO PA plans to meet with the delegations of Denmark and Germany, and to have a meeting of the heads of delegations of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8). 

Besides Head of the Estonian Delegation to the NATO PA Raimond Kaljulaid, members of the delegation Urmas Reinsalu, Marko Mihkelson, Meelis Kiili and Jüri Ratas also attend the Annual Session of the NATO PA. 

Before the Plenary Sitting of the NATO PA, discussions will be held in the committees of the Assembly on Saturday and Sunday.

Kaljulaid is a member of the Defence and Security Committee, Reinsalu is a member of the Committee on Democracy and Security, Mihkelson is a member of the Political Committee, Kiili is a member of the Science and Technology Committee and Ratas is a member of the Economics and Security Committee.

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

 

Link uudisele: NATO Parliamentary Assembly gathers for its annual session in Copenhagen

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar to Latvian Speaker: We also have to pay attention to Tartu-Riga rail connection

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting in the Riigikogu, the Speakers stated that Estonia and Latvia had very much in common, and cooperation between the two countries was also becoming increasingly closer. Hussar pointed out that the joint procurement for medium-range air defence systems was an excellent example of cooperation in the field of security. “Reaching an agreement on this joint procurement shows that we can reach an agreement on everything between Estonia and Latvia,” he said.

According to Hussar, the largest joint project of the two countries is the construction of Rail Baltic, but it is also necessary to think about the rail connection between Tartu and Riga through the twin town Valga-Valka. “People living near the border go to work across the border, and aligning the mobility issues, digital solutions and school networks between the two countries would help unlock the region’s huge potential,” Hussar noted.

The Latvian Speaker agreed to that, and added that mobility, including ensuring military mobility, was also essential to ensure security in the region. Mieriņa said that cooperation in the digitalisation of state services would continue as well – for example, in February, the common e-prescriptions system should be in place in Estonia and Latvia. She also underlined the need to support teaching of Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian both in the border regions and in general, in the context of termination of Russian-language education. She added that it was absolutely right to learn big languages instead of Russian, but learning of small languages should also be supported.

During her visit to Estonia, Mieriņa also met with the Prime Minister and the President of Estonia, and visited the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

Photos (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

 

Link uudisele: Hussar to Latvian Speaker: We also have to pay attention to Tartu-Riga rail connection

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar is meeting the new Speaker of Latvian parliament Daiga Mieriņa

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The two colleagues are meeting today at 10.15 in the Riigikogu, followed by a formal lunch.

“The cooperation between Estonia and Latvia is close, as befits neighbours, and there is a multitude of fields of cooperation. We are both involved in strategically important regional projects such as Rail Baltic, but also recognise the importance of continuing to support Ukraine together every way we can,” Hussar said before the meeting.

The parties plan to discuss regional cooperation in the field of energy and the construction of Rail Baltic, supporting Ukraine in the EU and NATO accession and in rebuilding the country, anti-Russian sanctions and holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine, security in the Baltic region, and cooperation between the Baltic parliaments.

Daiga Mieriņa became the Speaker of the Saeima on 20 September as the candidate of the government coalition party Union of Greens and Farmers. She previously worked as the Head of the Chair of the Public Administration and Local Government Committee of the Saeima. Before that, she was the Head of the Carnikava and Ādaži local government.

Mieriņa is also scheduled to meet Estonia’s Prime Minister and President, and will visit the NATO Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar is meeting the new Speaker of Latvian parliament Daiga Mieriņa

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The European Union Affairs Committee got an overview of the green claims initiative

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta said that the Committee had gotten a good overview of the amendments proposed with the initiative and the positions of the Estonian stakeholders, and the ministries were presented with several questions to think about. “Today, there are hundreds of ecolabels used in the world and lots of products about which it is misleadingly claimed that it is, for example, biodegradable, environmentally safe or produced with green energy. Nobody checks if such green claims are correct. The aim of the initiative that green labels should be understandable and reliable is very welcome,” Pakosta said. She underlined that the transition period should be sufficiently long to ensure that no packaging that had already been produced would go to waste.

Deputy Chair of the Committee Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski pointed out that if the intention of the initiative was to ensure that a certain label could be used on a product produced in a verifiably CO2-neutral way or using 100 per cent renewable energy, it was important to think carefully about how the environmental impact of electric cars and electrical equipment would be assessed. She emphasised that it was necessary to take into account that CO2 emissions were not the only thing that affected the environment.

It was highlighted at the sitting that the Green Claims Directive covered all products and services on the European Union market and its objective was to improve the clarity and reliability in regard to green labelling. According to the initiative, the companies that wish to present an environmental claim on their product or service have to verify it through a third party. In Estonia, this competent authority will be either the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority or the Environmental Board.

Chief Specialist of the Environmental Management Department Kristi Loit and Chief Specialist of Foreign Relations Eliise Merila from the Ministry of Climate, Consumer Protection Adviser at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Mari-Liis Aas, Policy Adviser to MEP Andrus Ansip Stinne Vaga and Environmental Adviser at the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU Jörgen Talkop attended the sitting and gave an overview of the initiative.

The stakeholders were represented by CEO of the Estonian Traders’ Association Nele Peil, Head of Food Policy at the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce Meeli Lindsaar, Legal Adviser of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ireen Tarto, Head of the Estonian Food Industry Association Sirje Potisepp and expert of circular economy Üllar Huik, who outlined their positions.

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

Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee got an overview of the green claims initiative

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Stoicescu and Mihkelson are discussing strengthening European security in Madrid

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Stoicescu said that the increase in defence spending and investments in the EU Member States should be much more prominent. Among other things, the production capacities of the defence industry need to be increased significantly to strengthen European security. He would like to see the Western countries be more united in their decisions and actions.

“Russia is and remains a permanent threat for us. This is why we need to ensure that we have sufficient reserves and that we could also support Ukraine with weapons and ammunition, even during a longer period, if needed.” Stoicescu added that the European Union needed to fulfil its pledge to donate one million artillery shells to Ukraine as soon as possible. This was a decision made at Estonia’s initiative which was adopted in spring by the European Council.

Mihkelson said that investments into defence but also consistent foreign policy are paramount in the current security situation. He does not see a possibility for restoring permanent peace in Europe before Ukraine has won Russia’s war of choice.

“Ukraine needs our active help and support until it has achieved victory, Russia has been defeated strategically and has withdrawn its troops from the Ukrainian territory, and the perpetrators of the crime of aggression, starting with Russia’s political leadership, have been prosecuted,” Mihkelson said. In addition to establishing an international special tribunal, we need to continue raising the price of aggression for Russia through sanctions and other restrictive measures.

The participants of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Madrid are discussing the priorities, challenges, and developments of the EU foreign and security policy as well as the security and defence policy, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and its consequences, and strengthening European security. The Conference is part of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which runs from July 1 until the end of this year.

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

Link uudisele: Stoicescu and Mihkelson are discussing strengthening European security in Madrid

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar attends the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Dublin

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said that, at the Conference, the presidents of the PACE parliaments planned to discuss how to continue providing the necessary support to Ukraine in Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and how the national parliaments could contribute to this. At the discussion attended by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and role of national parliaments in Ukraine’s reconstruction will be spoken about, as well as direct support to Ukraine and holding Russia to account.

During the second part of the Conference, the speakers of parliaments will address the challenges to representative democracy. At this discussion, Hussar as well as the presidents of the parliaments of France and Portugal will deliver a speech. In his speech, Hussar will draw attention to the need to strengthen the resilience of societies to hostile activities, including influence activities and cyber-attacks, and to take technological risks into account. According to him, countries need to invest more in increasing cybersecurity and raising media awareness of the people, pay more attention to the threats posed by the use of artificial intelligence and look for new ways to increase voter turnout, especially among young people.

In the last part of the Conference, the PACE speakers will discuss the issues of equality and diversity in relation to the representation of young people, women and ethnic and social groups in parliaments.

During the Conference, Hussar will have meetings with President of the Parliament of North-Macedonia Talat Xhaferi, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş and President of the Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan.

Speakers and presidents of parliament from the member states of the Council of Europe and its partner and observer countries, as well as the heads of parliamentary delegations participate in the Conference. From Estonia, the Head of the Estonian delegation to the PACE Liisa Pakosta also attends the Conference.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar attends the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament in Dublin

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar spoke of m-voting and lowering the voting age at speakers’ conference

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said in his speech at the Conference that free and fair elections formed the basis of representative democracy. He pointed out that Estonia had considered it necessary to make participation in elections simpler and to introduce novel methods to achieve that. He explained that online voting had been possible in Estonia since 2005, and at the Riigikogu elections in March this year, more than half of the votes had been cast electronically.

“Now we are getting ready to take the next step. For many years, Estonia has worked to make it possible to vote with a mobile phone. Our goal is to make this possibility available for the next elections,” Hussar said. In his opinion, it would help involve young people in particular, and thus strengthen democracy.

Hussar underlined that the younger generation should be actively encouraged to take part in the election process. “We have to listen to their voice, because they are often the ones most acutely aware of the challenges of today’s world. Therefore, we have lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 at the local elections, and are now considering doing the same for the Riigikogu elections,” he said.

Hussar also drew attention to the need to strengthen the resilience of societies to hostile activities, including influence activities and cyber-attacks, and to take the technological risks into account. According to him, countries need to invest more in increasing cybersecurity and raising media awareness of the people and pay more attention to the threats posed by the use of artificial intelligence.

In addition to challenges of representative democracy, the PACE speakers today also discussed supporting Ukraine and holding Russia to account. At the discussion attended by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and role of national parliaments in Ukraine’s reconstruction was spoken about. Tomorrow, the speakers of parliaments will discuss the issues of equality and diversity in relation to the representation of young people, women and ethnic and social groups in parliaments.

During the Conference, Hussar has had meetings with President of the Parliament of North-Macedonia Talat Xhaferi and Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Shalva Papuashvili. Tomorrow, he is planning to meet with Speaker of the Parliament of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş and President of the Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan.

Speakers and presidents of parliament from the member states of the Council of Europe and its partner and observer countries, as well as the heads of parliamentary delegations have gathered in Dublin, Ireland, for the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament. From Estonia, the Head of the Estonian delegation to the PACE Liisa Pakosta also attends the Conference.

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

Link uudisele: Hussar spoke of m-voting and lowering the voting age at speakers’ conference

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of one Bill

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Bill on Amendments to § 3 of the Social Tax Act (260 SE), initiated by the Social Affairs Committee, passed the first reading in the Riigikogu. It will give employers the possibility to pay voluntary sickness benefit free of social tax to pregnant employees who fall ill, and thereby it will eliminate unequal treatment of employees.

If an employee falls ill, at first their employer and then the Estonian Health Insurance Fund must ensure replacement income for them. For the 4th until 8th day of sickness, the employer must pay the employee a mandatory sickness benefit which makes up 70 per cent of the average remuneration of the employee. In addition, it is possible for an employer to pay a voluntary benefit tax-free until the end of the period for the payment of the mandatory benefit so that the employee would retain their average remuneration during that time.

However, the current Act does not allow employers to pay voluntary sickness benefit to women released from work due to illness or injury during their pregnancy, and therefore an allowance for the preservation of earnings for a pregnant employee may be lower than that of other employees. The Estonian Health Insurance Fund pays sickness benefit to a pregnant employee to the extent of 70 per cent of their average income in the previous calendar year.

The Bill will give employees an opportunity to also preserve the average pay for pregnant employees during their sickness absence. With a view to ensuring equal treatment, the additional sickness benefit paid until the eighth day of sick leave is exempt from social tax. According to the Bill, the social tax incentive on the benefit will also extend to pregnant sole proprietors.

The Bill was initiated when the Chancellor of Justice proposed that the provisions that do not ensure that, in the event of sickness, pregnant employees have the right to a replacement income which is at least equivalent to that of other employees be brought into conformity with the Constitution.

Three Bills were dropped from the proceedings

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (33 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Rene Kokk and Henn Põlluaas. It was intended to increase the VAT on press publications from five per cent to 21 in order to reduce the state budget deficit. According to the Bill, the amendment would have affected both press publications on physical carriers and electronic press publications.

63 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 12 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (34 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Rene Kokk and Anti Poolamets. It was intended to increase the VAT on press publications from five per cent to 22 in order to reduce the state budget deficit.

54 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 11 voted against it.

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (81 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Rene Kokk and Evelin Poolamets. It was intended to increase the VAT on press publications from five per cent to 25 in order to reduce the state budget deficit.

59 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the Finance Committee to reject the Bill and 9 voted against it.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting can be viewed on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Eleen Lindmaa
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Link uudisele: The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of one Bill

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee recommends using historic name Königsberg instead of Kaliningrad

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the Committee had found that using the Soviet-era name Kaliningrad in the Estonian language should be discontinued and the historic name Königsberg should be used instead. Members of the Committee also pointed out that the city of Kingissepp in Russia should be called by its former name Jamburg or Jaama.

The Committee made the proposal to consider changing the name to the Language Committee of the Estonian Language Society that participates in defining the standard of the Estonian written language and includes an advisory working group on foreign names. Mihkelson underlined that Latvia, Lithuania and Poland had also decided to use the historic name of the city instead of Kaliningrad.

In 1255, the city with the old Prussian name Twangste was renamed Königsberg in honour of King Ottokar II of Bohemia. After World War II, the city became part of the Soviet Union and was renamed Kaliningrad after the Soviet politician and a leading figure of Stalinist terror regime Mikhail Kalinin.

The Foreign Affairs Committee discussed the name issue in connection with the draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Start Using the Historic Name Königsberg in Estonian” (218 OE). The Committee will continue discussion on the draft Resolution in October. The purpose of the draft Resolution is to make a proposal to the Government to rename Kaliningrad again Königsberg in Estonian and carry out all procedures relating to the name change.

Chief Language Planning Expert of the Institute of the Estonian Language Peeter Päll and Head of the Department of Modern Estonian of the Institute of the Estonian Language Sirli Zupping participated in the sitting of the Committee.

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 recommends using historic name Königsberg instead of Kaliningrad

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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