NordenBladet —The Government of the Republic of Estonia decided to declare a defence readiness exercise Okas (Quill) with up to 607 members of territorial defence units ordered to participate the snap exercise (SNAPEX). Exercise Okas is of a defensive manner, aimed at practicing national defence activities. There is no immediate security …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
Hussar said that Latvia was Estonia’s closest neighbour and therefore he was happy that his first official visit was to Latvia. “The meetings that will be held in Riga will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss our further cooperation. At this time of many security policy challenges, it is more important than ever that we follow the same course in our actions,” he added.
Strengthening the security of the Baltic States, including the development of defence cooperation and preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, as well as cooperation in providing comprehensive support to Ukraine will be discussed at the meetings. “We must support Ukraine together in the reconstruction of the country and on its path to NATO and the European Union, as well as continue to work on extending the sanctions against Russia and the creation of a special tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression,” Hussar said.
In Riga, Hussar will have meetings with Speaker of the Saeima Edvards Smiltēns, members of the Latvia-Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group and Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs. After the meetings, he will visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
The official visit of the President of the Riigikogu takes place on the eve of the Day of the Restoration of Latvian Independence. On the visit, he is accompanied by Chairman of the Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group Peeter Tali and member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Ester Karuse.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar is on an official visit to Latvia
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
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)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Hussar: Sweden’s membership in NATO is our aim
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
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.
Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
Phone: +372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
E-mail: maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Social Affairs Committee sent amendments to the Family Benefits Act to first reading
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
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.
List of parliamentary friendship groups
Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
Phone: +372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
E-mail: maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: This week members of the Riigikogu formed 14 support groups and three parliamentary friendship groups
Source: Parliament of Estonia
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 …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
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 …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
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.
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 three select committees
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
After the sitting, the members of the Riigikogu continued to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations.
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 held a sitting
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
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.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Mihkelson attends meeting of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees in Oslo
Source: Parliament of Estonia
