Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) consider it necessary to declare Russia a terrorist regime and the Russian Federation a state supporting terrorism, and want the members of the Riigikogu to initiate a relevant draft statement.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the Parliament of Ukraine had called on other countries and international organisations to declare Russia a country supporting terrorism, and in the opinion of the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Estonia should respond to this proposal. “In our Committee, we have unanimously agreed that it is necessary to prepare a draft statement to declare Russia a terrorist regime and the Russian Federation a state supporting terrorism. We must also strongly condemn its activities, including organising of sham referendums in Ukraine,” he explained.
Mihkelson added that the political groups of the Riigikogu would continue working with the text of the draft statement this week, with the aim of having the draft ready for proceedings in the Riigikogu in the week after the next. A draft statement of the Riigikogu can be initiated by not less than one-fifth of the members of the Riigikogu or at least 21 members of the Riigikogu.
This year, the members of the Riigikogu have already issued three Statements to condemn the activities of Russia and express support to Ukraine: on 18 January, the Estonian Parliament adopted the Statement in Support of the Territorial Integrity of Ukraine, initiated by 28 members of the Riigikogu; on 23 February, the Statement on the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, initiated by 86 members of the Riigikogu, and on 21 April, the Statement on the War Crimes and Genocide Committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, initiated by 84 members of the Riigikogu.
The Riigikogu heard replies to six interpellations.
Members of the Riigikogu had submitted interpellations to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas concerning the preparations for and the cost of the transition to Estonian-language education, the cost of the coalition agreement between the Reform Party, Isamaa and Social Democrats, and the next year’s state budget, and the supporting of businesses.
Members of the Riigikogu Jaak Aab, Mihhail Stalnuhhin, Natalia Malleus, Enn Eesmaa, Marek Jürgenson, Taavi Aas, Tõnis Mölder, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Anneli Ott, Kersti Sarapuu, Jaanus Karilaid, Siret Kotka and Dmitri Dmitrijev had submitted an interpellation concerning the supporting of businesses in managing the high electricity prices.
The interpellators wished to know what measures and in what volume the Government was planning to implement to mitigate the rise in the prices for energy carriers for businesses.
Kallas explained that the Government had decided to implement various measures in order to reduce the effects that the rise in energy and fuel prices was causing for the performance of businesses.
“First, we have invested in the establishment of an LNG mooring quay. We have made an agreement for a ship with regasification capacity to arrive at the quay. We have allocated 170 million to acquire a gas reserve already under the previous Government with the aim of increasing gas supply. We have decided that micro and small enterprises, sole proprietors, non-profit organisations and foundations with a consumption volume of up to 1 GW per year will be able to join the universal service,” Kallas said.
She added that, in order to help large businesses to make it through the energy war, the Government was offering liquidity measures that could be used to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis. There is also a possibility to replace natural gas with other fuels and a possibility to apply for investment support to ensure energy supply security. “In addition, we have extended the lower tax rate established for liquefied gas, diesel fuel, diesel fuel for specific purposes, light heating oil, heavy fuel oil, shale-derived fuel oil, natural gas, motor natural gas, motor natural gas in liquefied form, and electrical energy,” Kallas noted.
The Prime Minister explained in what financial volume the Government was planning to support businesses in managing the high energy prices, and gave an overview: 40 million for a mooring quay, 170 million for the acquisition of a gas reserve, an estimated 210 million for the effect on Eesti Energia’s profit as a universal service will be provided to micro and small businesses, an estimated 100 million for liquidity assistance to large businesses through the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, 43 million for the resource efficiency measure provided by the Environmental Investment Centre, and 10 million for agricultural and food industry businesses with separate ensurance of energy supply security.
Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur replied to interpellations concerning the giving of 155-mm howitzers to Ukraine for military aid, and the further development of Estonian artillery within the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the redundancy of generals in the Defence Forces, and homosexual propaganda in the Estonian Defence Forces.
During the open microphone, Peeter Ernits and Tarmo Kruusimäe took the floor.
President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas met the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida in Tokyo today and thanked him for Japan’s strong support for Ukraine.
Ratas qualified Japan as one of Estonia’s key partners in the Asian and Pacific region, and one with whom we share the same values of respecting human rights and the principles of the rule of law. “In the current geopolitical situation, it is important for like-minded countries to band together. I thanked Japan for condemning Russia’s aggression, for imposing sanctions on Russia, and for strongly supporting Ukraine,” he said.
Ratas and Kishida also discussed the excellent relations between Estonia and Japan, and emphasised the need to develop these even further. “In bilateral relations, we are the most keen to enhance cooperation in digital and cyber solutions, which is an integral part of the image we have of Japan in Estonia. We are seeing opportunities for strengthening the cooperation between the Estonian and Japanese companies as well as governments. It is also vital to boost the cooperation between Japan and the European Union,” Ratas said.
The President of the Riigikogu also expressed his condolences to the Prime Minister of Japan for the loss of the former head of government Shinzo Abe. Abe became Japan’s first head of government to visit Estonia in 2018.
On Tuesday, Ratas will attend the state funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Abe at the Nippon Budokan Arena. During the course of the visit, Ratas will meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hiroyuki Hosoda, as well as his colleagues from Romania, Czechia, and Slovenia. On Monday evening, Ratas will meet with members of the Estonian community at the Estonian Embassy.
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas is travelling to Japan today to attend the state funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe.
According to Ratas, former Prime Minister Abe made a strong contribution to the development of relations between Estonia and Japan. In 2018, he became the first Japanese head of government to visit Estonia. “Japan is one of Estonia’s most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region, with whom we share the same values. It is important for us to strengthen our good relations with Japan and to deepen our cooperation, especially in the digital and cyber sectors,” Ratas said.
During the visit, Ratas will meet with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Hiroyuki Hosoda. He will also have meetings with his Romanian, Czech and Slovenian counterparts. On Monday evening, Ratas will meet with the members of the Estonian community at the Embassy of Estonia.
On Tuesday, the President of the Riigikogu will attend the state funeral ceremony for former Prime Minister Abe at the Nippon Budokan Arena. Ratas will return to Estonia on Wednesday.
On Wednesday 21 September, in a regular rotation of forces, the British Army’s King’s Royal Hussars (KRH) formally took over from the Royal Welsh to lead NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup in Estonia. This is the 11th rotation of UK troops in Estonia since the battlegroup was formed in 2017.
The rotation of the battlegroups was officiated with a transfer of authority at their base in Tapa Camp, which saw the outgoing and incoming Commanding Officers parade with soldiers from the UK, Denmark and France. The parade took place in front of their Challenger 2 and Leopard tanks, armoured personnel carriers and an AS90 artillery gun.
“As we conduct a planned rotation of forces in the eFP, we recognise the commitment and achievements of the outgoing British, Danish and French soldiers over the last six months, and the security they provided to Estonia and the wider region,” said Colonel Dai Bevan, Commander of the eFP Estonia Command Headquarters.
“We welcome the new British-led Battlegroup and adjoining Danish Company with the enhanced defensive capabilities that they bring. Their first task is to complete their integration with the 1st Estonian Brigade and then start an intensive exercise programme into the winter” he said.
The KRH is an armoured tank regiment based in the south of England and uses the Challenger 2 main battle tank to provide armoured strength on the battlefield. The regiment is on its second deployment to Estonia as the framework of the eFP Battlegroup which this time comprises: two tank squadrons, an anti-tank company, MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) and AS90 fire support batteries, an armoured engineer squadron and an air defence troop. The anti-tank company from 1st Battalion Scots Guards is mounted in Mastiff protected mobility vehicles equipped with the Javelin weapon system. In addition to the anti-tank capabilities provided by Challengers and Javelins, elements of the Battlegroup are armed with NLAW (Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) to defeat enemy armour.
Joining the KRH is a Danish tank squadron from the Jutland Dragoon Regiment, arriving in Theatre earlier this month replacing the Viking Company. They deploy with the Danish Army’s new Leopard 2A7 tanks; on operations for the first time since being brought into service. The upgraded Leopards are regarded as the most modern and sophisticated main battle tanks in the world today, which when combined with UK elements provide significant firepower and mobility to Estonia’s defensive posture. Totalling over 1200 troops, the eFP Battlegroup also integrates with the established, 200 Les Loupes soldiers from the 7th Battalion de Chasseurs Alpins on rotation from L’Armée de Terre.
The incoming troops will integrate into the 1st Estonian Infantry Brigade, based at Tapa. During the first weeks of deployment, they will take part in a demanding training programme focused on interoperability which will culminate in the first major training exercise Bold Hussar next month.
At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu passed two Resolutions. Ruuben Kaalep was appointed as a new member of the Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia and Sulev Valner as an acknowledged expert was appointed as a new member of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council.
With the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Removal of a Member and Appointment of a New Member of the Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia from among Members of the Riigikogu” (669 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee, Peeter Rahnel is removed from the Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia in connection with the termination of his mandate as a member of the Riigikogu and Ruuben Kaalep is appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board.
50 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution, and there was one abstention.
The Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia is the highest directing body of the National Library of Estonia which is composed of seven members. Three members of the Riigikogu and two recognised experts of the operating areas of the national library are appointed to the Board by the Riigikogu on the proposal of the Cultural Affairs Committee with the term of authority of four years. Under the Resolution of the Riigikogu of 27 May 2019, members of the Riigikogu Signe Kivi, Mihhail Lotman and Peeter Rahnel and recognised experts of the operating areas of the National Library Andres Kollist and Priit Pirsko were appointed to the Supervisory Board of the National Library of Estonia. The Secretary General of the Riigikogu Antero Habicht is a member of the Supervisory Board by virtue of his office, and the Minister of Culture has appointed Mihkel Kaevats, Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture, as a member of the Supervisory Board.
With the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of an Acknowledged Expert in the Field of Activity of the Estonian Public Broadcasting as a Member of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council” (670 OE), submitted by the Cultural Affairs Committee, acknowledged expert in the field of activity of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Sulev Valner is appointed as a member of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Council in connection with the termination of the mandate of member of the Council Priit Hõbemägi.
55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution, and there was one abstention.
The Estonian Public Broadcasting Council consists of members of the Riigikogu and acknowledged experts in the field of activity of the Public Broadcasting. On the proposal of the Riigikogu Cultural Affairs Committee, the Riigikogu appoints one representative from each faction of the Riigikogu until the date of termination of the authority of the composition of the Riigikogu, and four experts from among the acknowledged experts in the field of activity of the Public Broadcasting whose authority continues for five years. Peeter Espak, Viktor Trasberg and Rein Veidemann are members who are acknowledged experts in the field of activity of the Public Broadcasting at the present moment.
Today, the government decided to invite 2,861 reservists and Defence League members to the defence readiness exercise QUILL 2022 (OKAS 2022). At the proposal of the Cheif of the Defence Forces, reservists of the 11th Infantry Battalion, 16th Air Defence Battalion and members Defence League 42nd Northeast Territorial Defence Unit are invited to the additional training gathering.
2,861 reservists and Defence League members belonging to wartime units are invited to the exercise and must be present immediately at the gathering place indicated on the invitation.
Reservists and Defence League members can check whether they are among those invited from military service the register at www.kaitsevaeteenistus.ee. The data will be uploaded after the official signing of the government decision tonight.
11th Infantry Battalion reservists invited to the exercise can get additional information by calling +372717 8050 and e-mailing [email protected]
16th Air Defence Battalion reservists invited to the exercise can get additional information by calling +372717 8050 and by e-mail at [email protected]
42nd Northeast Territorial Defence Unit Defence League members and reservists invited to the exercise can get additional information by calling +372 717 9609 and by e-mail at [email protected]
During the QUILL 2022 exercise, the operational chain of command of the national defence will be tested, from the decision-making of the government to the gathering of reservists of the rapid response structure. The exercise lasts from the 22nd to the 28th September.
Exercise QUILL 2022 is held every year as per the decision of the government and is an unannounced exercise for the participants. The national defence model based on the Estonian reserve army assumes that we are ready to react and practice quickly at any time. There is no immediate security threat to Estonia.
The understanding attitude of employers and the support of relatives of reservists are very important for the success of the exercise.
The role of the Defence Forces is to ensure that the country is prepared for all situations. The defence forces must be ready to defend Estonia and practice it during exercises.
The national defence model based on the Estonian reserve army has proven its vitality and effectiveness. Security does not arise by itself that is why Estonia must organize regular exercises even in peacetime in order to maintain and increase the ability of the reserve structure to react quickly.
In addition to defence readiness exercise QUILL Defence Forces regularly invites reservists to larger or smaller exercises, such as Siil and Kevadtorm, with a longer 120-day notice.
The National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the security situation at its extraordinary sitting today and made a statement underlining that the announcement of a partial mobilisation by the Russian Federation did not pose a direct or immediate security threat to Estonia, but regrettably increased tensions in the region.
“The announcement of a partial mobilisation by the Russian Federation does not pose a direct or immediate security threat to Estonia, but it will definitely increase tensions in the region, which is regrettable. The state institutions of Estonia will continue their daily work to ensure Estonia’s security. We are closely monitoring the developments in Russia and Ukraine and will take further steps with our allies where necessary,” the National Defence Committee declared in its Statement.
According to the Statement, the National Defence Committee is unanimous in its view that the proposed referendums in the territories occupied by the Russian Federation must not be recognised under any circumstances, and they are null and void under international law. “Estonia will never recognise the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian Federation,” the Committee said.
The National Defence Committee also stated that in response to Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, Estonia had made and was making further significant investments to strengthen its defence capability. “We are working to increase the presence of our allies in Estonia and to strengthen the security of NATO’s eastern flank. In this context, it is particularly important to implement the decisions of the NATO Madrid Summit as soon as possible,” the Committee noted in its Statement.
The National Defence Committee also asserted that Estonia would continue to provide military, economic and political assistance to Ukraine for as long as necessary and until Ukraine had restored its territorial integrity.
This afternoon, the National Defence Committee held an extraordinary sitting, where it was informed by Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur and representatives of the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Agency and the Military Intelligence Centre of the Defence Forces about the partial mobilisation announced by the Russian Federation, and discussed its impact on Estonia’s security.
Today, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the report on future relations between Estonia and Asia, prepared in cooperation of four Estonian universities. The Committee considers continuing discussions on the Asian region one of its priorities.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the Foreign Affairs Committee had started hearings on Asian strategy more than 10 years ago. On the basis the hearings, the report “The Opportunities and Interests of Estonia in Asia until 2025” was prepared in 2012. “The Foreign Affairs Committee has kept discussions on Asia as one of its areas of interest for years. Our aim in launching the debate was to draw attention to developments in Asia and the opportunities connected with them, so that there would be an interest to address them in Estonia. The report on future relations between Estonia and Asia presented today confirms that cooperation between Estonian research institutions and sectors is well under way and provides a good basis for future policy choices. It is important that the good cooperation would continue soon with even more detailed studies,” he explained, and added that the Foreign Affairs Committee would also keep topics relating to Asia under its continued attention.
The report on the future relations between Estonia and Asia was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prepared in the cooperation of the researchers from the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, the Estonian Business School and the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. The report analyses the developments that may have an impact on Estonia and Estonia’s cooperation with Asian countries in 2022–2030.
The report outlines four possible scenarios for the future, depending on what the economic, political and environmental situation will be like, and the ability to cooperate despite differences in values. The authors of the report also give their recommendations on the areas in which Estonia should cooperate with the countries of Asia and present proposals for follow up studies.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellations concerning the omission of Turba-Risti railway from the Estonian Recovery and Resilience Plan (No. 138) and concerning the omission of the projects on Tallinn Hospital and medical helicopters from the Estonian Recovery and Resilience Plan (No. 139), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
Interpellation concerning the omission of Turba-Risti railway from the Estonian Recovery and Resilience Plan, submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Taavi Aas, Dmitri Dmitrijev, Marika Tuus-Laul, Jaak Aab, Aadu Must, Jüri Ratas, Mailis Reps, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Anneli Ott, and Siret Kotka.
The interpellators pointed out that the government had made the political decision on 30 June to omit the Turba-Risti railway construction project from the Estonian Recovery and Resilience Plan. To all intents and purposes, this meant withdrawing the funding from the project at the last second.
Kallas noted that the European Commission had proposed the establishment of a recovery instrument on 27 May 2020, with the intended purpose of offering investments and reforms to support the economies that have been negatively affected by the COVID crisis. The volume of support from the recovery instrument to Estonia was originally calculated as EUR 1.1 billion, but thanks to the economic growth in Estonia exceeding the forecasts, the volume has been reduced to EUR 863.3 million.
“This has forced us to adjust the Plan and its volume to the final volume of support. As it is no longer possible to implement the Plan as initially intended, the regulation on the Recovery and Resilience Facility allows Member States to submit changes to the Plan to the European Commission,” Kallas explained.
She elaborated that the government made the 30 June decision to omit the Turba-Risti railway construction from the Recovery Plan on the basis of the above factors. “Because of the market situation and the considerable hike in prices, the government is unable to finance all the planned railway investments in the earlier schedule and volume, which means that we have no choice but to leave some on the back burner and focus primarily on those where the passenger numbers and cargo volumes, and consequently the socio-economic impact, are more significant,” Kallas said.
Prime Minister observed that the necessary means to reconstruct Haapsalu railway in its entirety have never been available under any government.
Kallas noted that the government has developed and reconstructed the westbound railway, with the destination of Turba, stage by stage. “Before the track reaches Lääne County, we need to construct and reconstruct the westbound infrastructure in Harju County. Riisipere-Turba stretch has been completed and trains are running on Tallinn-Keila-Turba stretch. This required around EUR 8 million in investments,” Prime Minister explained. In addition to developing the existing railway, the government decided in August this year to reconstruct the Vasalemma-Riisipere stretch for nearly EUR 3.2 million, in order to increase the speed over a 7.2 km stretch. Design work has also continued on Haapsalu railways, so that the development of Haapsalu railway can be continued in the future, should the required funds be found in the state budget.
In reply to the interpellation concerning the omission of the projects on Tallinn Hospital and medical helicopters from the Estonian Recovery and Resilience Plan, Prime Minister gave the same justification for the decision not to allocate funds.
Kallas explained one important reason behind abandoning the Tallinn Hospital project. “The National Audit Office highlighted significant flaws in the project,” she pointed out. For example, there was confusion concerning financing. It was not clear which part would be financed by the government and which part by the City of Tallinn. There had also been no analyses whether the functional development plans of other hospitals had been taken into account when planning the work volumes of Tallinn Hospital, in order to avoid pointless duplication and overinvesting.
“With this in mind, we decided to withdraw Tallinn Hospital from the Recovery Plan and make proposals on other projects. The crucial condition in it – which was also pointed out by Auditor General – was that the funds of the Recovery Plan can only be used for projects that are completed by 2026. As soon as one project among the lot fails to complete by 2026, all the other projects will lose funding. And it is a huge amount of money, which would allow us to actually make regional investments and help develop life in Estonia,” Kallas elucidated.
Prime Minister was not called to reply to the interpellation concerning the ability to work and the competence of the Government of the Republic because the interpellators had withdrawn it.
During the open microphone, Kalle Grünthal, Peeter Ernits, Mart Helme, and Tarmo Kruusimäe took the floor.