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.
The members of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the next plans of NATO and allied countries as well as the major challenges in strengthening the collective defence on the Eastern flank of the Alliance at the meeting with Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer today. Chairman of the Committee Raimond Kaljulaid said that Estonia wanted to see rapid and specific progress in implementing the decisions of the Madrid Summit.
At the meeting with Admiral Bauer, Kaljulaid emphasised the high will to defend of the Estonian people and their support for the presence of NATO allies in Estonia. He assured that in these complicated times, there was a consensus among the members of the Riigikogu on the issues of national defence and the need to increase investments in the field of defence.
“National defence and strengthening of security are very important topics for the Estonian public today. Therefore, we want to see very rapid and specific progress in implementing the decisions of the Madrid Summit. We are naturally ready to contribute and, among other things, to undertake additional spending on national defence also in the current very difficult economic situation. We also remain highly committed to contributing to the success of NATO and allied military missions,” Kaljulaid underlined.
At the meeting, Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Leo Kunnas drew attention to the need to strengthen NATO command structure so that it would correspond to the changed threat picture and would ensure effective collective defence. Member of the Committee Mati Raidma raised the question of whether the target of spending two percent of gross domestic product on defence as agreed upon between NATO member states was still sufficient in the current security environment, or whether it was time to give a signal that allies should spend more on defence in the future.
Besides the plans and challenges of NATO and allied countries, the possibilities for jointly supporting Ukraine were also discussed at the meeting. The importance of cooperation between parliaments, defence forces and the private sector, including defence industries, in ensuring the sustainable defence capabilities of NATO allies was spoken about as well. Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Bauer is in Tallinn to attend the Conference of the NATO Military Committee on 16 to 18 September.
Russia’s war against Ukraine has focused NATO’s attention more than ever on strengthening deterrence and defence posture. At the NATO Summit held at the end of June in Madrid, it was pointed out that Russia was the most significant and direct threat to Allies’ security, and the heads of state agreed to significantly strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.
Today, the Riigikogu passed the Act that will enable household consumers to buy electricity at a controlled production price, that is, as a universal service. In addition, the Parliament concluded the first reading of one Bill.
The Act on Amendments to the Electricity Market Act and the Competition Act (655 SE), initiated by the Government, will enable the price of the production of electricity to be delimited and electricity to be sold to household consumers as a universal service. The Act imposes an obligation on the national company Eesti Energia to sell electricity to Estonian household consumers and all electricity resellers also as a universal service from this October to 30 April 2026. In addition, upon the entry into force of the Act, 63 sellers of electricity in Estonia will have an opportunity to begin selling electricity within the framework of a universal service.
The Act does not set out the price of the universal service but establishes the principles for price formation. The Competition Authority will set the price, taking into account production costs and a reasonable profit of the electricity producer. Sellers of electricity may factor in selling costs. The base price will be the production price of Enefit Power approved by the Competition Authority, to which the justified costs and reasonable operating profit of the universal service provider will be added. Electricity sellers will have to publish the price of the universal service on their websites.
Electricity sellers who provide a universal service will have an obligation to offer their clients automatic transfer to universal service if the price of the electrical energy sold to the consumer thus far is higher than the price of the universal service The consumer will not need to do anything to agree to the offer. However, in order to reject the offer, the consumer will have to inform the seller of their wish at least two days before the entry into force of a new contract. Consumers will be able to reject at any time the universal service that has already been launched.
Until 30 September 2023, consumers will be able to transfer to the universal service without paying a contractual penalty for the termination of a contract in force.
During the debate, Taavi Aas (Centre Party), Priit Sibul (Isamaa), Henn Põlluaas (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Kalvi Kõva (Social Democratic Party) and Kristen Michal (Reform Party) took the floor on behalf of their factions.
60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act, nobody was against and nobody abstained.
One Bill passed the second reading
Under the Bill on Amendments to the Mental Health Act and the Health Services Organisation Act (600 SE), initiated by the Government, coercive psychiatric treatment will be on the list of health services of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund and it will begin to be funded from the budget of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.
Under a contract, the Estonian Health Insurance Fund is already now checking all treatment bills submitted for coercive psychiatric treatment and emergency psychiatric care. It is also paying for the provision of emergency psychiatric care, including the involuntary emergency psychiatric care to people not covered by health insurance. In order to harmonise the funding of health services, the service of coercive psychiatric treatment imposed by a court will be included among the health services funded from the budget of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. At present, the costs of coercive psychiatric treatment are covered from the state budget through the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Before the first reading, the Social Affairs Committee made amendments to the Bill that will give clinical psychologists the right to act as independent specialists, or to provide psychological treatment under a licence, separately from general or specialised medical care.
A legal person or a sole proprietor who employs a person having the qualification of a clinical psychologist or equivalent qualification can apply for the licence. The licence requirement will help ensure that independent providers of psychological treatment meet the qualification requirements, that their activities and the interventions they apply meet at least the minimum level of psychological interventions and that the treatment is provided with the level of care normally expected of providers of health care services.
The amendments will give the Estonian Health Insurance Fund the right to enter into contracts with service providers approved by the Health Board for the provision of psychological treatment, and family physicians will be able to refer all patients in need of psychological treatment to the contract partners of the Health Insurance Fund.
Before the second reading, the Social Affairs Committee made amendments to the Bill to also include speech therapists and physiotherapists in the category of independent specialists. They will also be subject to licence requirement. Physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychological therapy may be provided for therapeutic purposes without a licence until 30 June 2024.
At today’s sitting of the Riigikogu, a Bill specifying the Farm Animals Breeding Act passed the first reading. It will make clearer the provisions relating to breeding programmes in order to avoid the possibility of narrow interpretation of the Act.
A narrower interpretation of the Act may give rise to the misconception that a breeding programme can be approved even if it does contain the required objectives and activities but provides descriptions that are not in accordance with the set requirements. The provisions proposed in the Bill on Amendments to the Farm Animals Breeding Act (624 SE), initiated by the Government, will help better understand that, when describing the content of a breeding programme, the relevant requirements must also be taken into account and, in the event of a violation of the requirements, it is possible to refuse to approve a breeding programme.
The amendments are of a technical nature and no new requirements will be placed on breed societies.
Another Bill passed the first reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act (587 SE), initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, is intended to give municipal councils an opportunity to organise binding referendums and to allow local residents to initiate referendums on public initiative.
According to the Bill, a municipal council or at least ten percent of the electorate of a municipal council will be able initiate a local referendum, and the result of a referendum will be binding if at least 40 per cent of the eligible residents of the municipality take part in the referendum.
Affairs of the state and issues in the case of which the result of the referendum may be in conflict with the law cannot be put to local referendums. According to the Bill, the municipal council will establish the organisational conditions for a referendum.
During the debate, Mart Helme took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, Toomas Jürgenstein on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction and Mihhail Lotman on behalf of Faction Isamaa.
The first reading of a Bill was adjourned
The Bill on Amendments to the Aliens Act (561 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa, will create a legal basis for the revocation of the residence permits of public supporters of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and the issue of new residence permits and visas to them will be precluded.