ESTONIA

Photo exhibition of mothers of Ukrainian heroes opens at the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The photo exhibition “Mother” is dedicated to Ukrainian mothers who have given the most precious sacrifice – their sons – in the name of future and freedom. These are the stories of women who, after a terrible loss, continue to support volunteers and soldiers because they do not want their sons’ deaths to have been in vain.

According to President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, the genocide that is being carried out by Russia against the Ukrainian people is horribly brutal and unjust. “Having myself also closely witnessed the pain of Ukrainian mothers in Ukraine, it is difficult to put into words one of the most awful emotions in the world, the pain of losing a child. We cannot alleviate this grief. But we can do our best to ensure that the children abducted by Russia in Ukraine are returned to their homes and that the aggressor receives the punishment they deserve,” Hussar said.

The author of the exhibition is Svіtlana Korableva, a photographer from Mariupol, who now lives in Cherkasy. Her works address social issues. In addition to being a photographer, Korableva is also an activist and involved in the displaced non-profit organisation Halabuda, which provides assistance to soldiers and civilians affected by war.

Svitlana Korableva said that she had portrayed women whose worst fear had come true – they had lost their children to war. “But they never surrendered! They continued to fight and to take care of the goals of their children. I sincerely hope that you will never know what war is. And that your mothers will never have to celebrate Mother’s Day alone. Glory to Ukraine! And many thanks to the people of Estonia for their support!” Svitlana Korableva said.

The exhibition opening in the Riigikogu is also a reminder of a big problem – the lack of a culture of talking about grief, which leads to a sense of loneliness for mothers in mourning. This is a special category of Ukrainian women affected by the war, who may not have been physically touched by the war, but whose mental health has suffered a severe blow. They need support, understanding, acceptance and respect for their grief.

The exhibition has been made possible in Estonia thanks to the support of the Viljandi NGO Mariupol Free, the Riigikogu and the Open Estonia Foundation. President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, photographer Svitlana Korableva (video greeting), Member of the Riigikogu Helmen Kütt, Ambassador of Ukraine Maksym Kononenko, Mall Hellam from the Open Estonia Foundation, representative of NGO Mariupol Free Nataliya Logozinska as well as civil activists Yevgenia Chirikova and Ülo Vihma will speak at the opening of the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open in the 2nd floor art gallery of Toompea Castle until 5 June. The exhibition can be visited on working days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors need to present an identity document to gain entry to Toompea Castle.

Photo gallery of the exhibition and its opening (The gallery is being updated) (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Maiki Vaikla
+372 631 6456, +372 5666 9508
maiki.vaikla@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Photo exhibition of mothers of Ukrainian heroes opens at the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson and Rõivas attend Kyiv Security Forum

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

On Friday, Mihkelson, together with politicians and experts from Finland, Lithuania and Sweden, will speak at a debate where the leading role of the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States in countering Russia’s aggression, supporting Ukraine, strengthening regional security and shaping Europe’s strategic posture will be discussed. Mihkelson will also participate in a panel on the Russian threat and European security, where alongside representatives of Austria, Bulgaria, France, Lithuania and Ukraine, Russia’s opposition activist Garry Kasparov will take part.

Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Luisa Rõivas will take part in the debate on the role of Eastern Europe in responding to Russia’s aggression as well as in maintaining European unity and strengthening security.

The 17th Kyiv Security Forum will focus on topics relating to stopping Russia’s aggression and achieving a just and lasting peace. The event will be held on the days when the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, and Europe Day will be celebrated. It will bring together heads of state, representatives of military and intelligence community, diplomats, as well as security and foreign policy experts from around the world.

Before the start of the Kyiv Security Forum, Mihkelson will give a lecture today afternoon at Taras Shevchenko National University, where he will talk about Ukraine on the global political map.

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

Link uudisele: Mihkelson and Rõivas attend Kyiv Security Forum

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu passed the Act relating to violations of European Union sanctions

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

A Bill was passed

The Act on Amendments to the Act on Protection of Persons Who Report Work-Related Breaches of European Union Law and the International Sanctions Acts (Union restrictive measures directive) (584 SE), initiated by the Government, transposes into Estonian law the EU directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of sanctions. According to an amendment, violation of Union restrictive measures is considered a predicate offence for money laundering under the directive.

The Act makes two amendments to Estonian law. EU restrictive measures are included in the list of areas of activity provided for in the Act on Protection of Persons Who Report Work-Related Breaches of European Union Law and the International Sanctions Act is specified by adding a clause to the effect that the provisions on whistleblower protection also extend to reporting breaches of international sanctions.

The purpose of the Act is to establish uniform rules for determining violations of EU restrictive measures and the penalties to be imposed for them, in order to ensure uniform application of sanctions. The amendment of the Act will help to detect and prevent violations, supporting compliance with EU law and the achievement of objectives.

Anti Poolamets from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group took the floor during the debate.

60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act, 19 were against and there was one abstention.

A Bill passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Competition Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (609 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose the directive organising the procedure for processing infringements of competition law, using the structures of existing law.

The Bill will establish competition supervision proceedings under administrative law and sanctions will be imposed in misdemeanour proceedings similarly to other areas where administrative fines should be applied under European Union law. The Competition Authority will conduct competition supervision proceedings and will do so pursuant to administrative procedure. District courts will impose fines for committing competition infringements constituting misdemeanours in misdemeanour proceedings.

In competition supervision proceedings, it will be provided that evidence gathered can be transferred to misdemeanour proceedings which has so far been one of the main concerns in competition supervision and in proceedings on competition offences. Also, in the future, competition infringements will no longer be criminal offences, and this will eliminate the need to choose between criminal and misdemeanour proceedings.

The bill replaces the bill withdrawn by the Government at the end of March this year, which contained administrative fine regulations and self-incrimination provisions that led to many objections from legal specialists. Then the Government decided to fundamentally amend the bill and to propose an approach based on existing procedures for competition infringements.

During the debate, Varro Vooglaid took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Parliamentary Group, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party Parliamentary Group and Jaak Aab on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Parliamentary Group.

The Social Democratic Party Group moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. The motion was not supported because 13 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of it and 48 were against. The first reading was concluded.

Seven interpellations were replied

Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo replied to the interpellation concerning the amendments to the Employment Contracts Act, i.e. contracts with unstable salary (No. 735), submitted by members of the Riigikogu. Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller replied to the interpellations concerning social welfare reform (No. 720) and  the livelihood of pensioners (No. 726). Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras replied to the interpellations concerning rural areas  (No. 713), the suspension of the construction of Rohuküla railway  (No. 731), the reorganisation of Kehtna Vocational Education Centre and Vana-Vigala School of Technology and Service Industry Studies  (No. 733) and the future of ferry connection (No. 739).

Riina Sikkut and Lauri Läänemets took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 11.36 p.m.

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 passed the Act relating to violations of European Union sanctions

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Largest Estonian Military Exercise in 2025 Begins Today

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Leaders of defence committees from nine countries gather for security forum in Tallinn

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Kalev Stoicescu, Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia), which is organising the forum, said that parliaments in all democratic countries had an important role in the organisation of national defence, and closer cooperation between allies was vital both now and in the foreseeable future. He was delighted that the members of the annual cooperation format – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland and Germany – would be represented at the forum, and that, for the first time, the Netherlands would take part as an observer.

The forum will be held in the Conference Hall of the Riigikogu on Thursday. The discussions will focus on collective defence, the increasing of defence spending, and regional defence cooperation, as well as on Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine and its implications for the international security architecture. Undersecretary for Defence Policy of the Ministry of the Defence of Estonia Tuuli Duneton and Undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Estonia Martin Roger will give an overview of Estonia’s positions. Lieutenant General Bertrand Toujouse, Commander of French Forces Europe/Commander French LANDCOM, who is on a visit to Estonia, will participate in the forum as a special guest.

The leaders of the National Defence Committees will also discuss the priorities and challenges of defence and security policy more broadly and talk about the steps needed to achieve a militarily strong Europe in the shortest possible terms. On Friday, the leaders of the National Defence Committees will visit Ämari Airbase, where one of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing aviation units is located.

Leaders of the National Defence Committees of the parliaments of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden will participate in the forum. Chair of the National Defence Committee of the Netherlands will attend the forum as an observer. Representatives of Germany and France will also take part in the forum held in Tallinn.

The National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu has held annual working meetings with the National Defence Committees of the Baltic States since 1998. From 2011, the representatives of the National Defence Committees of the of the Nordic Countries, Germany and Poland have also been taking part in these meetings.

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

Link uudisele: Leaders of defence committees from nine countries gather for security forum in Tallinn

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar underlined the importance of rapid use of Russia’s frozen assets in Denmark

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meetings with members of the Parliament and the Government of Denmark, Hussar said that Europe had to strengthen cooperation in supporting Ukraine. “We have to move on quickly with using Russia’s assets that were frozen under sanctions, and continue to tighten sanctions to exert pressure on Russia,” he said, and reiterated that it was necessary to keep supporting Ukraine in the war of aggression launched by Russia.

The NATO Summit, which will take place in June, and further cooperation with the United States were also discussed at the meetings. Hussar highlighted Estonia’s decision to allocate more than five per cent of GDP to national defence in the coming years and stressed the need to ensure that the increased defence budget is used to strengthen national defence as effectively as possible.

The meetings confirmed the excellent relations and cooperation between Estonia and Denmark in the European Union, NATO and the Nordic-Baltic cooperation format NB8, where Denmark holds the Presidency this year. The development of cooperation in the field of energy and green issues, as well as in new technologies and the defence industry, were also discussed.

Yesterday, the President of the Riigikogu had meetings with Speaker of the Folketing Søren Gade, Deputy Speakers Leif Lahn Jensen, Karsten Hønge and Lars-Christian Brask, as well as with Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee Christian Friis Bach.

Hussar also had a meeting with Minister for Resilience and Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen, with whom he discussed strengthening the protection of the critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including the need to restrict the movement of Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea. At the meeting with Europe Minister Marie Bjerre, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will start in July, as well as the enlargement of the Union and the situation in South Caucasus were discussed. Hussar also visited the public-private green transition cooperation platform State of Green, and met with local Estonian community at the Embassy of Estonia.

The President of the Riigikogu was accompanied on the visit by Chair of the Estonia-Denmark Parliamentary Friendship Group Maris Lauri and Member of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

Link uudisele: Hussar underlined the importance of rapid use of Russia’s frozen assets in Denmark

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu supports creating SAFE loan instrument to promote defence industry in Europe

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Chairman of the Committee Peeter Tali explained that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine had also undermined the security situation in Europe, which is why the EU was keen to strengthen its defence capability and industry. “For this purpose, the plan is to take out a loan of EUR 150 billion and create the SAFE loan instrument, which would allow the Member States to take out joint loans for urgent and large investments into their defence capabilities.”

The joint procurements in defence must be carried out through cooperation between at least two countries, and the other country could also be Ukraine or a NATO ally. “Estonia’s focus lies in a speedy increase in Europe’s defence capability, but also in supporting Ukraine, and promoting cross-border cooperation. We absolutely encourage Estonia’s defence industry to take part in the procurements,” Tali stressed, adding that it was also important to reduce bureaucracy in defence procurements.

The positions say that Estonia supports the main goals of the initiative: implementing the EU budget for supporting national defence investments, increasing the production capacity of the European defence industry, and helping Ukraine. Estonia also supports promoting cross-border cooperation and including SMEs with the application of the instrument.

The SAFE loan instrument is one of the five pillars in the White Paper for European Defence-Readiness presented by the President of the European Commission Ursula van der Leyen in March. The Ministers of Finance will discuss the proposal in May and its implementation could start as soon as in autumn or winter this year.

The positions of the Government on the proposal for establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) to promote our defence industry were introduced at the sitting of the EUAC by the Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, as well as the Head of the EU and International Relations Department Martin Põder and the Head of the Tax and Customs Policy Department Erle Kõomets from the Ministry of Finance.

The European Union Affairs Committee decided to approve the positions of the Government, taking also into account the opinion of the National Defence Committee.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
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Link uudisele: The Riigikogu supports creating SAFE loan instrument to promote defence industry in Europe

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Ensuring security is the central theme at the European Space Conference in Tartu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

This year, Estonia is holding the rotating chairmanship of the European Interparliamentary Space Conference, with meetings focusing on maritime security and cybersecurity.

“The Estonian chairmanship will be introduced by a discussion on security in the space sector, during which we intend to focus even more on the common ground between security and the space sector and increase the participation of politicians in these discussions,” the chairman of the Estonian delegation Mario Kadastik emphasised.

“While until now, the military and civilian uses of space have been kept very clearly separate, there has been cross-use within the framework of the war in Ukraine,” Kadastik said. “This new reality now needs to be brought into broader focus as to how we can more effectively use and develop both civil and military infrastructure in space to ensure space-based security in the future,” he said.

Kadastik explained that the thematic discussion relating to maritime security would be based on recent cases of hybrid warfare in the Baltic Sea region, where, among other things, underwater cables had been cut, and shadow vessels were engaged in unspecified activities. Through space it is possible to support better surveillance to support regional security and identify threats to the interests of European countries. The debate will be moderated by Tomas Hrozensky, Senior Researcher and Lead on European Engagement at the European Space Policy Institute.

Another topic to be discussed will be the potential of cyber defence in the development of the space sector. Kadastik noted that the interference and counterfeiting in the Baltic Sea had become a major security threat to the EU and its infrastructure. Improving cybersecurity mechanisms and systems would support the maintenance of European capabilities. The impact and potential that the space cyber-security training ground being developed in Estonia will have in the development of the space sector and the security of satellite technology in Europe will also be discussed. The debate will be moderated by James Francis, Research Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute.

Representatives of the European Space Agency, the European Space Research Institute, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and Estonian companies Cybernetica, Spaceit and Kappazeta will take part in the discussions.

On Tuesday, the European parliamentarians will visit the European Space Agency’s business incubation centre in Tartu, where they will meet Estonian space sector entrepreneurs. The incubator was opened in 2017, and its aim is to help Estonian start-ups reach the international market by providing them with start-up funding along with industry-specific mentoring. Tartu Science Park is the lead partner for the centre.

The two-day event will bring together politicians and experts from ten European countries. Members of the Riigikogu Mario Kadastik and Tõnis Lukas will participate from Estonia.

The meeting is part of the Presidency of the European Interparliamentary Conference on Space, which will also include a plenary session in Estonia in autumn.

For more information, please contact: Mario Kadastik, +372 503 7434

Photos:

Please note that photos will be uploaded with a delay during the meeting.

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

 

Link uudisele: Ensuring security is the central theme at the European Space Conference in Tartu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar’s message to Prime Minister of Armenia: Estonia supports Armenia’s path towards Europe

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar greeted the Armenian delegation and commended the increasing closeness of Estonian-Armenian relations. “We are happy to find more and more opportunities for high-level meetings. The cooperation of the friendship groups of our national parliaments is another excellent example of adding value to the relations between our two countries. We support the steps Armenia is taking towards the European Union, and this is also the key topic for our discussions today. We hope to hear from you what Estonia could do to help you in this,” he said.

Another topic was the need to achieve stability in the Southern Caucasus region. Armenia’s Prime Minister declared that the Armenian people wanted to achieve peace both with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, because peace was a prerequisite for developing democracy.

The parties also discussed Armenia’s relations with Russia, further support for Ukraine, and the situation in Georgia.

Also present at the meeting were the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, Deputy Chairman of the Estonia-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group Tanel Kiik, and the Estonian Ambassador to Armenia Marge Mardisalu-Kahar.

Photos of the meeting: 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’s message to Prime Minister of Armenia: Estonia supports Armenia’s path towards Europe

Source: Parliament of Estonia

President of the Riigikogu is on an official visit to Denmark

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar described Denmark as a friendly and valuable partner for Estonia in the European Union and NATO, but also in the Nordic-Baltic cooperation format NB8, where Denmark holds the presidency this year. In July, Denmark will also become the presidency country of the Council of the European Union.

“The meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss key topics of European security, including how we could best help Ukraine in the continuing war of aggression by Russia, tighten sanctions against Russia, and consequently start using frozen Russian assets in support of Ukraine,” Hussar said. He added that future cooperation with the USA would also be an important topic at the meetings.

Another topic will be cooperation between Estonia and Denmark, where Hussar sees the most potential in energy and green topics, as well as new technologies and defence industry. Topics of NATO June summit and strengthening of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea are also on the agenda.

The President of the Riigikogu will meet the Speaker of the Folketing Søren Gade, Deputy Speakers Leif Lahn Jenseni, Karina Adsbøli, Karsten Hønge, and Lars-Christian Brask, as well as the Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee Christian Friis Bach. He is also planning to meet with the Minister for Resilience and Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen and the Europe Minister Marie Bjerre. The schedule also includes a visit to the public-private green transition cooperation platform State of Green and a meet-up with of the local Estonian community in the Estonian embassy.

The President of the Riigikogu is accompanied on the visit by the Chair of the Estonia-Denmark Parliamentary Friendship Group Maris Lauri and Member of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa.

Photos (will be added in accordance with the programme; author: (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

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

Link uudisele: President of the Riigikogu is on an official visit to Denmark

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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