ESTONIA

The Riigikogu formed five delegations

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

According to a Resolution, Liisa Pakosta becomes the head of the Estonian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Aleksei Jevgrafov and Eerik-Niiles Kross become members and Ants Frosch and Hanah Lahe become substitute members. All members of the delegation participate in the sittings of the plenary of PACE which convenes four times a year. The head of the delegation represents the Riigikogu in the standing committee which works between sessions, and members take part in the work of sectoral committees.

64 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe” (156 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee. There was one abstention.

Raimond Kaljulaid becomes the head of the Estonian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Marko Mihkelson and Urmas Reinsalu become members, and Meelis Kiili, Reili Rand and Jüri Ratas become alternate members. The task of the Estonian delegation is to protect the foreign policy interests of Estonia by participating in the events of the Assembly and the work of committees and to ensure the protection of Estonia’s security policy positions and the performance of Estonia’s duties in the NATO.

The Riigikogu passed with 63 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization” (157 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The Estonian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) includes the head of the delegation Mati Raidma, members Heljo Pikhof and Kersti Sarapuu, and alternate members Aivar Kokk, Eduard Odinets and Kristo Enn Vaga. The delegation participates in the sessions of the assembly which engages in the resolution of European political and security issues, and in the work of committees, taking part in both the drafting of reports and the observance of elections.

60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe” (158 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

According to a Resolution, Mario Kadastik becomes the head of the Estonian delegation to the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC), and Tõnis Lukas and Toomas Uibo become members. The Space Conference is a forum for the European national parliaments, facilitating the exchange of information through the provision of a forum for analyzing the major issues at stake in the space sector.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the European Interparliamentary Space Conference” (159 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, was passed with 62 votes in favour.

According to a Resolution, Timo Suslov becomes the chairman of the Estonian delegation to the Baltic Assembly and Enn Eesmaa becomes the vice chairman. The delegation includes Arvo Aller, Karmen Joller, Meelis Kiili, Lauri Laats, Priit Lomp, Tiit Maran, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Riina Solman, Margit Sutrop and Peeter Tali as members.

The Baltic Assembly is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania which discusses issues concerning the Baltic region at its sessions and in its Presidium and committees. When the Estonian delegation is formed, the correlation of political forces in the Riigikogu and the need to represent the standing committees are taken into account.

65 members of the Riigikogu supported the passing of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania” (212 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

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

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu formed five delegations

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Spring Storm 23 comes to a close

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —The Spring Storm 23 exercise, which took place from May 15th to 26th, has come to an end. Nearly 14,000 participants, including conscripts, reservists, active-duty soldiers, Defence League members, and allied forces from eleven countries, took part in the exercise. “Spring Storm went exceptionally well, and each subsequent exercise surpasses …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the Bill on amendments to the Family Law Act

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Bill on Amendments to the Family Law Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (207 SE), initiated by the Government, provides that two adults will be allowed to contract marriage regardless of their gender. The Bill also provides for the adoption of the implementing acts of the Registered Partnership Act.

The Bill will specify the regulation on filiation in the Family Law Act in connection with same-sex couples’ right to adopt. Same-sex spouses will get the right to adopt together through marriage equality. A spouse of the same sex will be able to adopt a child with the consent of the biological parent of the child. The Bill sets out the principle that a child may not have more than two parents. The principle that in particular the biological parents have the rights and obligations relating to the child will be maintained. The female spouse of the mother will have the relationship of filiation with the child when she grants her consent to the artificial insemination of the mother.

The Bill will also adopt the amendments so that the rights and obligations arising from the Registered Partnership Act adopted in 2014 could be realised to the full extent in practice. According to the Bill, the rights and obligations arising directly from registered partnership contract will remain the same compared to the current law. It will be possible for a registered partner to adopt only their registered partner’s child.

Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo who made a report answered questions during several hours. Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee Eduard Odinets gave an overview of the discussion that had been held in the Social Affairs Committee.

During the debate, representatives of parliamentary groups Riina Solman (Isamaa), Liisa-Ly Pakosta (Estonia 200), Varro Vooglaid (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Eduard Odinets (Social Democratic Party), Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party) and Yoko Alender (Reform Party) took the floor.

The whole discussion took place in a tense atmosphere that was accompanied by numerous points of order.

Isamaa Parliamentary Group and the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The result of voting: 27 votes in favour, 53 against. The motion was not supported. The first reading was concluded and the deadline for motions to amend was set for 5 June.

The Riigikogu passed two Resolutions

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Removal of Members and Appointment of New Members of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre” (209 OE), initiated by the Environment Committee, removes Kalvi Kõva, Kaido Höövelson, Erkki Keldo and Üllar Saaremäe from the Supervisory Board of the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre and appoints members of the Riigikogu Reili Rand, Maido Ruusmann, Tarmo Tamm and Mart Maastik to the Supervisory Board of the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre.

According to the Environmental Charges Act, four of the members of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre are appointed by a decision of the Riigikogu on a proposal of the Environmental Committee. Besides the members of the Riigikogu, the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre also includes four other members appointed by the authority exercising the founder’s rights. The Minister of the Environment is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation by virtue of their post. Members of the supervisory board are appointed to office for five years. The appointing authority has the right to remove a member of the supervisory board at any time.

Rain Epler (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.

75 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution, one was against and there was one abstention.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of Members of the Supervisory Board of the State Forest Management Centre” (210 OE), initiated by the Environment Committee, appoints members of the Riigikogu Yoko Alender and Jevgeni Ossinovski to the Supervisory Board of the State Forest Management Centre.

According to the Forest Act, the supervisory board of the State Forest Management Centre comprises of nine members, including two members appointed by a resolution of the Riigikogu. The term of office of a member of the supervisory board appointed by the Riigikogu terminates upon the termination of the term of office of the person as a member of the Riigikogu.

Rain Epler (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor during the debate.

73 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

Prime Minister began replying to interpellations.

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning the record low birth rate and the plan to reduce allowances related to children, submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the hearing of answers to questions will continue at tomorrow’s sitting.

Tomorrow, Prime Minister will also reply to the interpellations concerning the population crisis and Ukrainian men of mobilisation age who have received temporary and international protection in Estonia, submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

Substitute member Züleyxa Izmailova took the oath of office at the sitting of the Riigikogu.

Today’s sitting of the Riigikogu started at 3 p.m. and again began with the delivery of Bills and draft Resolutions, submission of interpellations, and numerous points of order.

After the opening of sitting had lasted for two hours and a quarter, the Board of the Riigikogu discussed on the initiative of President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar how it would be possible for the Riigikogu to also perform its other functions arising from the Constitution, among other things to adopt laws and Resolutions. In order that it would be possible to start discussing today’s agenda, two members of the Board of the Riigikogu, Lauri Hussar and Toomas Kivimägi, proposed to stop the delivery of Bills and draft Resolutions and interpellations for today’s sitting, the plenary sitting of 22 May.

Chair of the sitting, Vice-President of the Riigikogu Toomas Kivimägi explained: “The initiation of Bills and draft Resolutions and the submission of interpellations is a right of a member of the Riigikogu which is guaranteed by the Constitution. At the same time, the right to submit interpellations must not hinder the Riigikogu from performing other work.” He noted that, therefore two members of the Board had proposed to stop the accepting of Bills and draft Resolutions and interpellations for that day under clause 18 of subsection 2 of § 13 of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act. The Board did not reach a consensus on this issue. As is known, Resolutions of the Board enter into force if the resolutions are based on consensus. “Member of the Board Jüri Ratas reiterated his position of 15 and 16 May this year that he did not support such a proposal and he did not agree to holding a vote on such an issue,” Kivimägi said. Ratas supported the practice that the delivery of Bills and draft Resolutions and interpellations was not limited.

As the Board did not reach a consensus, members of the Board Lauri Hussar and Toomas Kivimägi wished to put the issue to the vote at the sitting of the Riigikogu without including it in the agenda under the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act.

The result of voting: 50 votes in favour, one abstention. After that, at 5.45 p.m., the Riigikogu began to discuss the items on its agenda

The sitting ended at 11.59pm.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

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

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the Bill on amendments to the Family Law Act

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Governor of the Bank of Estonia to the Riigikogu: Estonian people can handle the price rise

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Müller said that if you tried to sum up the past year very briefly from the central bank’s point of view, it could be said that the decade of the extremely mild monetary policy of central banks was over. “It came to a more abrupt end than we as a central bank were able to predict. And besides, the threat situation that has changed due to Russia’s attack against Ukraine has also forced Eesti Pank to think of readiness even in the darkest scenarios. In particular I must speak about inflation today because it is the main area of responsibility of the central bank,” he said.

Governor of Eesti Pank noted that in Europe the price rise could be felt particularly harshly because our dependency on Russian energy carriers had been significant. “Last October, inflation in the euro area jumped to 10.6 percent. Such an accelerated price rise has not been seen during the whole time the euro has been in circulation, and it is far from the two per cent level which is the goal of the European Central Bank,” he explained. He added that we had been in an even worse situation in Estonia. “The last time that we experienced such a rapid price rise was in in mid-1990s.”

Müller explained that the main instrument of a central bank to manage the price rise was to raise interest rates. When interest rates are increased, loan money becomes more expensive as a result of which less goods and services are bought and the price pressure on economy eases off. However, if economy is struggling and needs a boost, the central bank can lower interest rates and thereby make loan money more available again. “Last summer we began to raise interest rates in the European Central Bank again after a ten-year long break. This year we have raised interest rates for as many as seven times, by a total of 3.75 percentage points which is an extremely fast pace,” Müller noted. He added that further purchase of bonds into the balance sheet of the European Central Bank had also been stopped. “The purchase of bonds, which has been dubbed ‘money printing’ in popular jargon, helped keep the price of money low in order to boost the economy. In the current circumstances of a clearly too rapid price rise it is no longer appropriate for the central bank to stimulate the economy in such a manner.

Müller confirmed that the price rise had already begun to slow down in the euro area and that was in particular due to energy becoming cheaper, but the price rise had not yet begun to drop in the economy more generally. “One factor here is definitely the unusually strong state of the labour market, considering the complicated economic situation. This has among other things contributed to the persistence of sufficiently strong demand in economy and has given businesses an opportunity to raise prices while maintaining their profit. Thus, we will probably have to continue to raise interest rates at the European Central Bank.”

How are our businesses and people coping with the steep rise in interest rates? “In Estonia we can see that businesses have so far coped well with the higher interest payments. As consumers had a lot of money in their hands, businesses could substantially increase their sales revenue and profit until very recently. The fact that unemployment has stayed low has in turn helped people to cope. Job loss is the greatest risk for households in coping with loan payments. Savings from the pandemic and the money withdrawn from pension pillars have also supported people. Therefore, we are not seeing any major solvency problems right now,” Müller said.

Among other things, the Governor of the Bank of Estonia highlighted in his report that the inflation in Estonia that had broken records in the euro area in the past year had been showing a tendency to slow down since last August. “We predict that, by the middle of this year, inflation will stop at ten per cent in Estonia and will be at the level of five per cent towards the end of this year,” he noted.

He also drew attention to the fact that public spending should not further boost the already rapid price rise and steering the state budget towards balance was complicated but necessary.

During the debate, Igor Taro (Estonia 200), Lauri Laats (Centre Party), Anti Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Andres Sutt (Reform Party) took the floor on behalf of their factions.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

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

Link uudisele: Governor of the Bank of Estonia to the Riigikogu: Estonian people can handle the price rise

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu formed the Estonian delegation to the IPU

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

All members of the Riigikogu belong to the Estonian Interparliamentary Union Group. The members of the Riigikogu elect the Board of the Group from among themselves. The Board is formed of the President and three Vice-Presidents, who received the greatest number of votes from the plenary.

The main aims of the activities of the IPU are to promote cooperation between parliaments and members of parliament, to participate in the processes of ensuring global peace and security, to protect human rights and to develop representative democracy. Estonia was a member of the Union between 1921–1940, and restored its membership after regaining its independence in 1991.

The mission of the Estonian delegation is to develop inter-parliamentary relations, and to introduce Estonia and the positions of our country on topical issues in international forums.

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 Riigikogu formed the Estonian delegation to the IPU

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Foreign Affairs Committee calls to consider participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson sees participation in the Expo as an excellent opportunity for Estonia to raise its global visibility as a developed, attractive, and secure country. “An argument made by members of the Committee was that as a small nation, we do not have the luxury to not do this. This is why the Committee will make a proposal to consider our participation at Expo 2025 at the governmental level, in consideration both of the benefits arising from this as well as the economic, foreign, and security policy implications of Estonia’s absence,” he said.

Mihkelson explained that 153 countries had already announced their participation at the Expo, including all the other EU Member States. “The World Expo is not one show among the many; participation there is directly linked to Estonia’s image,” he said, adding that this was why the decision should be taken from the ministerial level to the governmental level. “We also strongly advise the government to hear the opinions of business organisations.”

Also present at the discussion in the Foreign Affairs Committee were Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Economic and Development Affairs Mariin Ratnik, Estonia’s Ambassador to Japan Väino Reinart, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Deputy Secretary General for Economic Development Sille Kraam, Estonian Business and Innovation Agency Head of Export Department Eva-Kristiina Ponomarjov, Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director General Mait Palts, and Estonian Employers’ Confederation Managing Director Arto Aas.

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

Link uudisele: Foreign Affairs Committee calls to consider participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Active phase of Spring Storm exercise concludes with defensive battles in trenches

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —The active phase of the Spring Storm exercise concluded today with defensive battles in fortified positions, where the task of Company C of the Kalev Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry Brigade was to repel attacks by mechanized enemy units with the support of engineers and anti-aircraft artillery. “As the …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Successful British Royal Marine Amphibious Raid Demonstrates NATO Cooperation in Exercise Spring Storm 23

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —On the night of Friday, a British Royal Marine amphibious raid took place on Kaberneeme Beach as part of Exercise Spring Storm 23. The objective of the amphibious raid was to practice eliminating high-value targets and the withdrawal of the marines back to the sea. “Estonia provides an ideal environment …

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Hussar at the Eastern Partnership Conference: We support the Eastern Partnership countries on their path to Europe

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar underlined in his speech that since the launch of the Eastern Partnership in 2009, the situation in Europe had undergone a fundamental change. “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has lasted more than a year, Moldova is facing very serious challenges, the people of Belarus are oppressed by an increasingly brutal dictatorial regime and tensions persist in the South Caucasus,” he said, and stated that it was clearer than ever for Estonia that our military, economic and political support to Ukraine would continue steadfastly until Ukraine’s victory.

“At the same time, the countries that wish to join the EU need the help of the Baltic States right now and, within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, it must be given,” the President of the Riigikogu said. “In 2022, the European Union took historic decisions to grant Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidate country of the EU and to give Georgia a clear European perspective,” he emphasised, and added that this process would continue. “The Baltic States are working to strengthen and deepen political and economic ties between EU Member States and the Eastern Partnership countries and to support the implementation of sustainable reforms in the Eastern Partnership countries.”

The Eastern Partnership Conference of the Baltic Assembly was chaired by President of the Baltic Assembly Urve Tiidus. Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Edvards Smiltēns and Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen also attended the Conference. The President of the Riigikogu together with the Speakers of the Parliaments of Latvia and Lithuania visited the Freedom School of Estonia, a school for Ukrainian children.

The Baltic Assembly is a consultative cooperation organisation of the parliaments of the three Baltic States which discusses issues of mutual interest. In 2023, the presidency of the Baltic Assembly is held by Estonia. Our presidency is guided by the idea of a resilient, secure, reliable, and sustainable Baltic region.

Gallery of the events (Photos: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

 

 

Link uudisele: Hussar at the Eastern Partnership Conference: We support the Eastern Partnership countries on their path to Europe

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session focuses on Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Raidma said that the plenary of the PA, which meets twice a year, planned to reaffirm their strong and continuing support for Ukraine at its Spring Session. “Together with the Allies, we must increase the provision of the necessary military, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as well as support Ukraine in its post-war reconstruction, but also on its path to the European Union and NATO,” he added, and called attention to the Statement recently adopted by the Riigikogu, according to which the Vilnius Summit should formulate the steps necessary for Ukraine’s rapid integration into NATO and grant Ukraine an invitation to join the Alliance. “At the international level, work must also continue on extending sanctions against Russia and setting up a special tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression.”

Before the Plenary Sitting of the NATO PA on Monday, discussions will be held in the committees of the Assembly from Friday to Sunday. Raidma is a member of the Defence and Security Committee, which will address the security of the Baltic Sea, Ukraine’s fight for freedom and the response of the Allies to Russia’s war in Ukraine. On Friday, Raidma will also participate in the work of the Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council of the Assembly.

NATO PA Plenary Sitting will be held on Monday. Head of the Ukrainian Delegation to NATO PA Yehor Cherniev and Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov will address the Plenary Sitting of the Spring Session.

The discussions at the Plenary Sitting will focus on two topics: first, how to speed up NATO’s adjustment at the Vilnius Summit and then, full and decisive support for Ukraine. The NATO PA plans to adopt a declaration on both issues. Head of the Finnish Delegation to NATO PA Jarmo Lindberg and Head of the Swedish Delegation Hans Wallmark will also speak at the Plenary Sitting.

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

Link uudisele: NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session focuses on Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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