NordenBladet —The Commander of NATO Multinational Corps Northeast Lieutenant- General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart visits Estonia today, who has commanded the Corps for three years and this is his final visit to MNC NE area of responsibility in this capacity. “For the past 25 years the Multinational Corps North East has been a …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees and European Union Affairs Committees underlined in the Statement that their solidarity belonged to the many committed Europeans in Georgia who shared our values, and strived for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. They remain convinced that Georgia deserves a place in the very heart of a united Europe. “But these elections were neither free nor fair. The political climate in the run-up to the elections was incompatible with European standards of fairness. Candidates were intimidated and threatened, state power was abused, votes were bought. The reports of the international election observer missions clearly confirm this. There is therefore considerable election fraud also through intimidation and vote buying on election day,” they say.
According to the Statement, this election was about Europe or isolation, democracy or authoritarianism, freedom or Russification. “Obviously, during the election campaign it did not become clear enough that there can be no continuation of the EU rapprochement with the ruling party and its policies. The policy of the Georgian Dream is simply incompatible with the EU,” the parliamentarians pointed out. “The perfidious campaign of fear of a “global war party” that makes Georgia a second Ukraine, fell on fertile ground. There is only one “global war party”, you should call it by name. Its name is Russia.”
The parliamentarians think that against this background, the European Union cannot recognise the result. “We demand personal sanctions against those responsible for unfair electoral influence, intimidation and threats against the opposition and civil society,” they say in the Joint Statement.
At the same time they also pointed out that despite these massive disappointments, the pro-European parts of society must not be abandoned. “We should even strengthen civil society exchanges. We reject a collective punishment such as the suspension of visa liberalisation at this time. However, we fear an exodus of the well-educated, pro-European youth. Although we welcome you to the EU, it would be a tragedy for Georgia’s European orientation,” the parliamentarians said.
They also expressed concern about a “Belarusification” of the country. “If the ruling party and its leader follow their announcements with actions, there is a threat of persecution and prohibition of the opposition, independent media and critical non-governmental organisations. The EU must make it clear to the governing party that it will not accept this and in this case a complete termination of relations will follow,” the parliamentarians underlined in the Joint Statement.
They assured that they continued to strongly support the efforts of President Salome Zurabishvili to unite the country, to defend democracy, freedom and the rule of law and to preserve and secure the European future of Georgia.
In addition to Mihkelson, 11 parliamentarians from the European Parliament and the parliaments of Canada, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine signed the Statement.
Joint Statement in Estonian and in English
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: Estonian and Allied parliamentarians: EU cannot recognise Georgia’s election results
Source: Parliament of Estonia
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Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali said that his aim when meeting with colleagues from other national parliaments was to underline the need to support Ukraine in every possible way and to cripple the military economy of aggressor states Russia and Belarus with new sanctions, as well as to strongly draw Hungary’s attention to the threat that the Kremlin-mindedness of Viktor Orbán’s government poses to the freedom, common heritage and way of life of the nations of Europe.
Tali said that regarding the European Union priorities for 2024–2029, it was important for the Plenary Meeting to highlight cooperation between countries to ensure European security. “Providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine is a necessary contribution to meeting this goal. That is why I would like to underline the need for close cooperation between national parliaments at the meeting,” Tali explained. “One of the strategic goals of the dictator Putin’s regime is to divide and then to break up the European Union that is based on common values.”
At today’s session, it is planned to hear overview of the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The COSAC Plenary Meeting agenda also includes a debate on the state of the European Union in the year of institutional transition and the 15-year application of the Treaty of Lisbon. Tomorrow, the Plenary Meeting will focus on European demographic trends and responses, as well as European security and defence.
Tali added that part of the EU’s long-term assistance to Ukraine was connected with supporting the country’s accession to the European Union and implementing the necessary reforms.
The Plenary Meeting of the Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC) takes place in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on 27–29 October. The Estonian delegation consists of Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Peeter Tali and member of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Solman.
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
Gunnar Paal
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Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee discusses European defence and security in Hungary
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
According to Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, the main topic of the visit is the security situation. “In both Seoul and Taipei, in addition to promoting bilateral relations, we will also focus on learning about the regional security situation and explaining the importance of Ukraine’s victory,” he said, and added that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and North Korea joining it also influenced the security situation in the Asian region.
In Seoul, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Lee Hak-young, Minister of Unification Kim Yung-ho, and Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kim Hee-sang. The members of the Riigikogu will visit the European Union Delegation, the Embassy of Ukraine, Soongsil University and several think tanks. They plan to have meetings with the representatives of Asan Institute for Policy Studies, the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, the International Democracy Hub and the company Hanwha Aerospace. They will also visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone and meet with local Estonians at the Estonian Business Hub.
On Wednesday, the representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee will travel to Taipei, where they will meet with President of Taiwan Lai Ching-te, Vice President of the Parliament of Taiwan Johnny Chiang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, as well as Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan of the National Security Council. They also plan to have meetings at the European Economic and Trade Office, and the European Values Center for Security Policy that in January 2022 became the first European think tank to open its office in Taiwan. During the visit, which will last until Sunday, the members of the Riigikogu will also visit Kinmen Islands.
Mihkelson is accompanied on the visit by members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Ester Karuse, Henn Põlluaas and Luisa Rõivas.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
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Link uudisele: The Foreign Affairs Committee visits the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
Võrklaev underlined in his speech that supporting Ukraine was a priority for Estonia, and acknowledged the efforts of the World Bank and IMF.
“We all must increase the joint pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression. We welcome the G7+ loan mechanism to support Ukraine and the use of extraordinary revenues from Russian assets for this purpose, which is an important step and must be implemented as soon as possible. Russia has caused unimaginable damage to Ukraine and must bear the responsibility for this,” Võrklaev said.
He added that in the nearest future Estonia would focus on supporting the energy sector of Ukraine, in addition to strong military assistance. “We will contribute to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and supply Ukraine with used equipment from Estonia’s power plants in order to help vulnerable groups survive the cold winter,” he said.
Võrklaev concluded his speech with an observation, “It is ironic that we are discussing these issues in the premises of an institution where the aggressor is a shareholder. We need to take the next steps.”
“This means that Russia should not be at the table of the IMF and the World Bank,” Võrklaev explained, and recalled that in addition to the strong messages of support for Ukraine from other colleagues, the Minister of Finance of Finland had sharply pointed out in his speech that the IMF and the World Bank were working for global financial stability and economic growth, but almost every meeting and analysis showed the negative impact of Russia’s full-scale war on both economy and people’s livelihoods. “This is working directly against our common efforts,” he remarked, commenting on the developments at the roundtable.
The Ministerial Roundtable Discussion on Ukraine, held as a part of the World Bank’s Annual Meetings, brings together high-level officials and ministers of finance from around the world to discuss the priorities of support to Ukraine and coordinate international aid measures. The discussions focus on rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and financial system, mitigating the crises caused by Russia’s aggression, and identifying how the international community could contribute most effectively to Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as the events held as a part of the meetings in Washington, are also attended by Governor of Eesti Pank (Bank of Estonia) Madis Müller and experts from the central bank and the Ministry of Finance. Bilateral meetings will be held with senior officials of the IMF and the World Bank, the Government and the central bank of Ukraine, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Federal Reserve, as well as with other representatives of the public and private sectors.
For more information, please contact: Mart Võrklaev, +372 5132166
mart.vorklaev@riigikogu.ee
Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
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Link uudisele: Võrklaev at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meeting: We must take the next steps regarding Russia
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
The Order was awarded by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of the Ukrainian people for outstanding personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, supporting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and promoting the state of Ukraine internationally. Hussar accepted the Order after the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Riga. “This is not only a recognition of my activities, but also an acknowledgement to the entire Riigikogu and the people of Estonia for their help and support in Ukraine’s war of independence,” Hussar said, and thanked President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine for the high award.
In his speech at the Summit, Hussar said that Estonia would continue providing strong military, economic and political support to Ukraine until Ukraine had won the war launched by Russia, Crimea had been returned to Ukraine and Ukraine had become a member of the European Union and NATO. “We must do everything in out power that this war, which started not in February 2022, but with the illegal annexation of Crimea ten years ago, would end with Ukraine’s victory and restoration of its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” he said.
According to Hussar, Estonia supports Ukraine’s victory plan, which will allow Ukraine to take the initiative in the war and pave the way for a just peace. He underlined the importance of providing military assistance, in particular air defence systems and ammunition, and considered it necessary to remove all restrictions that hinder Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, including the prohibition to attack military targets on Russian territory. He pointed out that Estonia had committed itself to providing Ukraine with military assistance amounting to 0.25% of its GDP over the next four years, and called on other countries to do the same.
In his speech, Hussar recalled the Statement adopted the last week, in which the Riigikogu recognised the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars carried out by the Soviet regime in 1944 as an act of genocide and condemned the continuation of the genocide policy against Crimean Tatars in Russian-occupied Crimea. “We call on the international community to show solidarity with Crimean Tatars, and we also call on other parliaments who have not yet done it to adopt similar statements,” the President of the Riigikogu said.
The Summit organised by Latvia and Ukraine commemorated the passing of 80 years since the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars and the passing of ten years since the occupation of Crimea. The Summit, which was held for the third time, underlined the importance of restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and discussed the impacts of aggression and the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. At the conclusion of the Summit, the participants adopted a Joint Declaration.
Hussar also had separate meetings with President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou and President of the Assembly of North Macedonia Afrim Gashi. After the Summit, he participated in the high-level thematic conference on the fifth point of Ukraine’s 10-point Peace Formula, which focused on the implementation of the principles of the UN Charter, the role of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order. The working group is co-chaired by Estonia and Argentine.
Member of the Riigikogu and Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) Mati Raidma also participated in the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform and delivered a speech on behalf of the OSCE PA.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar was presented a high state award of Ukraine
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
“These elections constitute a landmark in Uzbekistan’s path to democracy because we will see the effect of the recent constitutional reforms and the introduction of the new election system in Uzbekistan. Hopefully the elections will respect the international standards,” Raidma said, adding that the elections must not only fit the legal framework but also embody the spirit of democratic values. Raidma and Odinets will be observing the elections from today until Monday.
More than 60 members of 25 national parliaments will observe the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. The purpose of the mission is to make sure that the elections adhere to the democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document.
Deploying election observation missions has been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards.
For more information, please contact: Mati Raidma +372 5074112
Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
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Link uudisele: Mati Raidma and Eduard Odinets are observing elections in Uzbekistan
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act (453 SE), initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, was scheduled for the sitting. It is intended to include Easter Monday among public holidays. In addition, the Bill is intended to provide giving additional days of rest for the national day and public holidays that fall on a weekend.
The Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act provides that, where the presenter is not present at the deliberation of an item, the chair of the sitting does not open the deliberation of the agenda item, and the deliberation of the draft Resolution or Bill is deferred.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The deliberation of a Bill amending the list of public holidays is deferred in the Riigikogu
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
The Summit is organised in cooperation of the parliaments of Latvia and Ukraine. It will be opened by Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa and Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver a video address. At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister of Latvia Evika Siliņa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Baiba Braže and Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Nariman Dzhelyal will also deliver speeches.
The Summit will commemorate the passing of 80 years from the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars and the passing of 10 years since the occupation of Crimea. The event will also highlight the need to restore Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and will discuss the impact of aggression and the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. At the conclusion of the Summit, the participants plan to adopt a Joint Declaration.
The President of the Riigikogu plans to have a separate meeting with President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Annita Demetriou within the framework of the Parliamentary Summit.
After the Summit, Hussar will participate in the high-level thematic conference on the fifth point of Ukraine’s 10-point Peace Formula, which will be co-chaired by Estonia and Argentine. The conference will be dedicated to the implementation of the principles of the UN Charter, the role of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order. The Speakers of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine will deliver opening addresses.
Member of the Riigikogu and Head of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) Mati Raidma will participate in the Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform as a member of the OSCE PA delegation and address the Summit on behalf of the OSCE PA.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar attends Crimea Platform parliamentary summit in Riga
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
Mihkelson sees Japan as the key partner for Estonia in the Asian region, but the country is also a member of the G7, a strategic partner of the European Union, and an ally of the USA, sharing our values of liberal democracy. The meetings in Tokyo will provide an opportunity to discuss developing the economic relations between Estonia and Japan, and exchange information on the security situation and recent developments around the world, including the topics of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and further support to Ukraine.
The parties will also discuss tensions in the Middle East and the situation in the Asian region. “The only way to ensure peace in Europe and to ground the increasing tensions in other parts of the world is by achieving Ukraine’s victory and Russia’s strategic defeat,” Mihkelson said.
The schedule of the visit includes meetings in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Representation of the European Union, Embassy of Ukraine, and several thin tanks. Among others, Mihkelson will meet representatives of the Japan Institute of International Affairs, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies.
After the meetings in Tokyo, Mihkelson will join the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu on its visit to the Republic of Korea and Taiwan at the end of the week. The Foreign Affairs Committee has been keeping its eye on the events in the Asian region and the purpose of the week-long visit is to get a better overview of the security situation in the region. In addition to Mihkelson, members of the Committee Ester Karuse, Eerik-Niiles Kross, Henn Põlluaas, and Luisa Rõivas will also take part in the visit.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Mihkelson will discuss security and economic relations on his visit to Japan
Source: Parliament of Estonia