Hussar said at the meeting that Estonia wanted to deepen further its good relations and active cooperation with Sweden. “Our aim is your membership in NATO. I hope that we will see Sweden as member of NATO already at Vilnius Summit,” he said at the meeting with the King and the Queen. “The defence cooperation between Estonia and Sweden is excellent, but we look forward to using the new opportunities arising from NATO membership as well. This would strengthen the defence capability of the whole region and help take our defence cooperation to a new level.”
Hussar said that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine had brought both national defence and civil protection under greater attention in the whole Europe. He explained that, in Estonia, there was an agreement to raise national defence expenses to three percent of GDP and at the same time to continue the development of civil protection. He emphasised the importance of psychological defence and noted that Estonia and Sweden could cooperate more in that sphere as well.
Chair of the Estonia-Sweden Parliamentary Friendship Group and the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Liisa Pakosta also attended the meeting with the King and Queen of Sweden.
The King and Queen of Sweden are on a state visit to Estonia at the invitation of President of the Republic Alar Karis. The visit started today and lasts until Thursday.
Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Chair of the Committee Õnne Pillak underlined that families with children must be supported, and this would continue. “But it is of crucial importance to face up to the fact revealed in the spring economic forecast that living beyond our means, which started six years ago, and three major crises have left a hole in the purse of the state. It is for the sake of the children that we need to tighten our belts, to put our public finances in order, so that we can leave them a functioning state. This is our duty to our children,” she said. According to the Chair of the Committee, changes to family allowances are necessary to provide more support first of all to those children who are in a more vulnerable situation. “For example, every amount of financial assistance is vital for children with rare diseases.”
Deputy Chair of the Committee Riina Solman admitted that changing the system of family benefits was a very bad surprise. “The money already promised to children and included in the budget of families with many children will be taken away, in violation of the principles of legal certainty. I believe that this debate will reach the Supreme Court,” she said. Solman added that there was no comprehensive analysis of the proposed system, and it was not clear where the money saved with the reform would go.
According to the Bill, the maintenance allowance paid to a child when the person obligated to pay maintenance does not pay maintenance or does not pay it in the required amount will increase from 100 euro per month to 200 euro per month from 1 January 2024. In Estonia, single-parent families are the poorest compared to other family types – a third of single-parent households are at risk of poverty.
From 1 January 2024, the allowance for families with many children will be 450 euro per month for three to six children, and to 650 euro per month for families with seven or more children.
From 1 July 2023, the regulation on gradual termination of the allowance for families with many children, according to which the allowance for families with many children was to be paid until the youngest child attained 19 years of age, will be repealed. As the regulation was in force only for a few months, this change will not affect many families. Indexing the allowance for families with many children with the pension index, which had to enter into force from 1 May 2024, will also be dropped.
The Social Affairs Committee sent the Bill on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act and to the Act on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act, the Family Law Act and the Employment Contracts Act (17 SE), initiated by the Government on 24 April, to the first reading at the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu on 8 May with the motion to conclude the first reading.
Parliamentary friendship groups help the members of the Riigikogu communicate with other national parliaments, implement foreign policy, and promote Estonia around the world.
Members of Support Groups
Large Families Support Group: Chairman – Igor Taro, Deputy Chairman – Vadim Belobrovtsev. Members of the Group: Ester Karuse, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Henn Põlluaas.
Setomaa Support Group: Chairman – Igor Taro, Deputy Chair – Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski. Members of the Group: Tarmo Tamm, Ester Karuse, Irja Lutsar, Peeter Tali, Anti Haugas, Henn Põlluaas.
Farmers and Rural Life Support Group: Chairman – Arvo Aller, Deputy Chairman – Andrus Seeme. Members of the Group: Evelin Poolamets, Rene Kokk, Mart Helme, Martin Helme, Rain Epler, Aleksei Jevgrafov, Maido Ruusmann, Urmas Reinsalu, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Tõnis Mölder, Aivar Kokk, Anti Poolamets.
MS Estonia Ferry Disaster Investigation Support Group: Chairman – Kalle Grünthal. Members of the Group: Kert Kingo, Arvo Aller, Evelin Poolamets, Martin Helme, Mart Helme, Varro Vooglaid, Tõnis Mölder, Anti Poolamets.
Hunters Support Group: Chairman – Andrus Seeme, Deputy Chairman – Andres Metsoja. Members of the Group: Tarmo Tamm, Mait Klaassen, Meelis Kiili, Tõnis Mölder, Arvo Aller, Kalle Grünthal, Rene Kokk.
Teachers Support Group: Chairman – Meelis Kiili, Deputy Chair – Pipi-Liis Siemann. Members of the Group: Mait Klaassen, Õnne Pillak, Tõnis Lukas, Igor Taro, Katrin Kuusemäe, Riina Solman.
Youth Mental Health Support Group: Chairman – Hendrik Johannes Terras, Deputy Chair – Luisa Rõivas. Members of the Group: Tanel Kiik, Ester Karuse, Hanah Lahe, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, Viljas Toomast, Liina Kersna, Karmen Joller, Irja Lutsar.
Youth Participation Support Group: Chairman – Hendrik Johannes Terras, Deputy Chair – Hanah Lahe. Members of the Group: Luisa Rõivas, Tanel Kiik, Ester Karuse, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Igor Taro, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Kadri Tali, Pärtel-Peeter Pere, Kristo Enn Vaga, Anti Haugas, Maido Ruusmann, Priit Lomp.
Trade Unions Support Group: Chairman – Eduard Odinets, Deputy Chairman – Tanel Kiik. Members of the Group: Reili Rand, Priit Lomp, Helmen Kütt, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Song Celebrations Support Group “Riigikogu Choir”: Chair – Kadri Tali, Deputy Chairman – Toomas Uibo. Members of the Group: Lauri Hussar, Karmen Joller, Irja Lutsar, Igor Taro, Hendrik Terras, Priit Lomp, Riina Solman, Andre Hanimägi, Anti Poolamets, Tanel Kiik.
Support Group for Solutions for Post-Vaccination Health Problems: Chair – Kert Kingo. Members of the Group: Kalle Grünthal, Alar Laneman, Varro Vooglaid, Ants Frosch, Anti Poolamets, Martin Helme, Mart Helme, Rene Kokk, Siim Pohlak, Helle-Moonika Helme.
Estonian Tourism and Local Food Support Group: Chairman – Anti Poolamets. Members of the Group: Rain Epler, Ants Frosch, Siim Pohlak, Rene Kokk, Martin Helme, Helle-Moonika Helme, Mart Helme, Evelin Poolamets.
Montessori Education Support Group: Chairman – Mario Kadastik. Members of the Group: Liina Kersna, Ester Karuse, Tõnis Lukas, Helmen Kütt, Õnne Pillak.
Cancer and Rare Disease Treatment Support Group: Chair – Katrin Kuusemäe, Deputy Chairs – Irja Lutsar and Karmen Joller. Members of the Group: Õnne Pillak, Vilja Toomast, Tanel Kiik, Luisa Rõivas, Helmen Kütt.
Members of Parliamentary Friendship Groups
Estonia-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group: Chairman – Toomas Uibo, Deputy Chairman –Anti Poolamets. Members of the Group: Kalev Stoicescu, Aivar Sõerd, Tarmo Tamm, Hendrik Johannes Terras, Tanel Kiik.
Estonia-Bahrain Parliamentary Friendship Group: Chair Helle-Moonika Helme, Deputy Chairs – Toomas Kivimägi and Helmen Kütt. Members of the Group: Arvo Aller, Rain Epler, Mart Helme, Kert Kingo, Alar Laneman, Evelin Poolamets.
Eesti-Netherlands Parliamentary Friendship Group: Chairman – Tarmo Tamm. Members of the Group: Annely Akkermann, Yoko Alender, Lauri Hussar, Ester Karuse, Marek Reinaas, Timo Suslov, Andres Sutt, Aivar Sõerd, Igor Taro.
The 15th Riigikogu has formed 52 parliamentary friendship groups and 50 support groups.
NordenBladet —Around 200 participants from more than 18 NATO nations and organizations trained in Tartu, Estonia, how to provide medical support and patient flow management from NATO’s eastern flank back to rear are in Central and Western Europe in case of a NATO Article 5 scenario. „This exercise allows for NATO …
NordenBladet —Today was the final day of Commander of NATO Multinational Corps North- East Lieutenant- General Jürgen-Joachim von Sandrart visit to Estonia. The Commander of NATO MNC NE met with Major General Veiko- Vello Palm, Commander of the Estonian Division and observed live- firing exercise of the Division 2nd Infantry Brigade …
The Riigikogu passed with 62 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee” (12 OE), submitted by the Constitutional Committee, under which the Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee was formed in the Riigikogu. The Committee exercises supervision over authorities of executive power in matters relating to the activities of the security authorities and surveillance agencies, including guarantee of fundamental rights and efficiency of the work of the security authorities and surveillance agencies, and in matters relating to supervision exercised over the security authorities and surveillance agencies.
The Riigikogu passed with 63 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee” (13 OE), submitted by the Constitutional Committee, under which the Anti-Corruption Select Committee was formed to perform functions arising from the Anti-Corruption Act. The Committee exercises parliamentary supervision over the implementation of anti-corruption measures, discusses at its own the initiative potential incidents of corruption involving officials and assess these, exercises supervision over compliance with the restrictions on activities of the members of the Riigikogu, verifies within the limits of its competence the declarations of interests, and performs other duties provided by law.
The plenary also passed with 63 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the State Budget Control Select Committee” (14 OE), submitted by the Constitutional Committee. The purpose of the committee formed under the Resolution is to ensure, in cooperation with the National Audit Office, control over the Government in terms of the implementation of the state budget and sustainable, efficient, effective, and lawful use of the state assets and state budget funds. Among other things, the Committee reviews the consolidated annual report of the state and the audit report on it, deals with the issues concerning the auditing of the public sector, and discusses the audit reports and overviews of the National Audit Office and important issues raised by the Auditor General.
All select committees are formed under the principle of equal representation of the coalition and the opposition. The Board of the Riigikogu determines the number of members in each select committee. The Board also approves the membership of the committees and any changes thereto. The term of the Committees lasts until the expiry of the term of the Riigikogu.
After the sitting, the members of the Riigikogu continued to form parliamentary associations.
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.)
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.)
Mihkelson said that security developments and supporting Ukraine would be discussed during the first day of the meeting in Oslo. “All our efforts are aimed at maintaining and increasing international support to Ukraine, to help Ukraine achieve a strategic victory over Russia. At the same time, we must continue to broaden sanctions against Russia and move forward with the creation of an international special tribunal to investigate the crimes of aggression,” he added.
The changes brought about by the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will be discussed on the second day of the meeting. The Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees will also speak about the future foreign and security policy cooperation between the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States and how to strengthen it. “Finland’s recent and Sweden’s hopefully forthcoming accession to NATO will strengthen the security of our entire region, but it will also give us new opportunities for cooperation which we must use well,” Mihkelson said.
The meeting, which is held in NB8 format, brings together the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Hussar underlined that Ukraine needed continuous military, political and economic assistance from its allies. “We must support Ukraine in its accession to the European Union and NATO as well as in its post-war reconstruction, act united in imposing new sanctions on Russia and in using frozen assets, and continue to work to bring the perpetrators of Russian aggression and war crimes to justice,” he said.
The President of the Riigikogu noted that Russia was waging not only a large-scale conventional war in Ukraine, but also information war and cyber war against Ukraine and the whole democratic world. “The threat posed by Russia is a long-term challenge,” said Hussar, adding that in order to improve the resilience of countries, cyber security and media awareness of the population must be increased and the problems relating to the use of artificial intelligence must be addressed to create an environment where technology works for democratic societies and not against them.
On the opening day of the Conference, the Speakers will discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine and its impact. Enlargement of the European Union, energy security and supporting reconstruction of Ukraine will also be spoken about. On Tuesday, the discussion will focus on the role of the EU in promoting democracy. The issues relating to information warfare, disinformation and security of supply chains will also be addressed.
During the Conference of Speakers, Hussar will have separate meetings with the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and Poland to discuss supporting Ukraine in its accession to the EU and NATO as well as the further cooperation of Speakers. Besides that, Hussar will have several bilateral meetings, among others, with President of the Parliament of Norway Masud Gharahkhani, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and President of the National Council of Slovenia Marko Lotrič.
The Open House Day began with the concert of brass group Tärkamine from Nõmme Music School on the balcony of Toompea Castle. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar welcomed the visitors in the courtyard of the Castle.
The representative rooms and working rooms of the Riigikogu as well as the offices of parliamentary groups, where the people could meet the newly elected members of the Riigikogu, were open all day. The guided tours of the Riigikogu and visits to the Tall Hermann Tower were very popular among visitors. Members of the Riigikogu Eduard Odinets and Anti Poolamets conducted guided tours.
At the coffee and chat time in the Riigikogu café, new members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller, Mario Kadastik, Ester Karuse, Tiit Maran, Riina Solman and Kadri Tali spoke about their expectations for their role as members of parliament. Longstanding member of the Riigikogu Jürgen Ligi also shared his experience. The discussion was moderated by Urmas Vaino. Grete Lõbu chaired the discussion “How to make exercise part of lifestyle?” in the café of the Riigikogu, where members of the Riigikogu Karmen Joller, Tanel Kiik, Evelin Poolamets, Reili Rand, Riina Solman and Hendrik Johannes Terras exchanged ideas.
Five youth teams and two Riigikogu teams took part in the traditional Open House Day Quiz. The first place was won by the team Riigikogu 1, which consisted of members of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller and Marek Reinaas, and Advisers of the Legal and Research Department Toivo Mängel and Triinu Põdramägi. The close-run competition for the second place was won by the team of the 13th Youth Song and Dance Celebration consisting of Maria Rüster, Monika Alu, Viktoria Pärn and Gerda-Kristina Trei. The quiz was prepared and conducted by acknowledged quiz players Indrek Salis,Aare Olander and Timo Tarve.
To mark the Be Active Year, practical workshops of the Schools in Motion and the Estonian Paralympic Committee had been set up, as well as the activity grounds of the Estonian Health Museum and the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum. Tallinn Central Library with its activity games and Katarina Jee Mobile Library also participated in the Open House Day at Toompea.
Young folk musicians from hobby studio Õhin performed greetings from the 13th Youth Song and Dance Celebration, and everybody danced together in anticipation of the Song and Dance Celebration which will be held this July. A concert introducing the Youth Song and Dance Celebration “Holy Is the Land” was held in the White Hall. Workshops of the Home Daughters and the Young Eagles had been set up in the courtyard. The Women’s Home Defence sold the flower pins of the Blue Hepatica Campaign “Let Us Salute!” to support the Estonian war veterans who have participated in international missions.
With the Open House Day, the Riigikogu celebrated its 104th anniversary.
The first representative body elected by the people in independent Estonia – the Constituent Assembly – convened in Tallinn on 23 April 1919. Since 1999, the Riigikogu has been celebrating the anniversary of that event with an Open House Day, which this year took place for the 23rd time.