ESTONIA

The Riigikogu amended the National Library of Estonia Act

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu passed an Act and concluded the first reading of a Bill and heard replies to two interpellations.

The Riigikogu passed one Act

The Act on Amendments to the National Library of Estonia Act and the Copyright Act (559 SE), initiated by the Government, transfers the tasks of the Repository Library of Estonia to the National Library of Estonia. As the responsibilities of the Repository Library are similar and partially overlap those of the National Library, its activities as a separate state agency will be terminated. The merger of the services will create preconditions for a user-centred innovation and coherent development of the services and will reduce the fragmentation of the library service.

The amendment will help improve the access of people with a visual impairment or any other print disability to publications and digital information, which is currently hindered due to the separation of services.

The new renovated building of the National Library is also planned to have premises necessary for the library for the blind, and better accessibility. The physical merger of the libraries is not likely to take place before 2025, when the renovation of the building of the National Library is due to be completed.

In the future, the repository and exchange stock of the Repository Library will be transferred to the planned Repository Archive, and the services of the library for the blind will begin to be provided in the renovated premises of the National Library in Tõnismäe (a city region in Tallinn).

65 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act.

A Bill passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Family Benefits Act (560 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction and Raimond Kaljulaid, provides for raising the child allowance for the first and each subsequent child of the family to 100 euro per month to improve the livelihood of families with children. Under the current Act, the amount of the child allowance for the first and second child of the family is 60 euro. The amount of the child allowance for the third and subsequent child is 100 euro. According to an amendment proposed in the Bill, the allowance for the first and second child will also be raised to 100 euro per month.

At today’s sitting, Tõnis Mölder (Centre Party) took the floor during the debate.

The Riigikogu heard replies to two interpellations

Minister of Finance Keit Pentus-Rosimannus replied to the interpellation concerning loan debtors, and Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna replied to the interpellation concerning the funding of vocational education, submitted by members of the Riigikogu.

During the open microphone, Peeter Ernits took the floor.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Foreign Affairs Committee discussed continuing support to Ukraine with Ukrainian colleagues

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Today, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) held a video conference with the members of the Committee on Foreign Policy of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, where they discussed the situation in Ukraine and the possibilities for continuing support to Ukraine.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson underlined that Ukraine needed uninterrupted military, economic and political support to win the war started by Russia. “The support and assistance of the Western countries should be continuous and tireless. We have to be ready to support Ukraine for a long time,” he said.

According to Mihkelson, Ukraine first of all needs weapons from Western allies, but also economic support, including the imposition of new sanctions on Russia. “At the same time, as an important political signal, Ukraine should be granted the status of a candidate country for the European Union membership as soon as possible. We must use every opportunity to restore Ukraine’s grain exports and do all we can to support investigation of Russia’s war crimes,” he said.

It was decided to continue the video conferences of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Estonia and Ukraine throughout summer.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Eesmaa and Kunnas attend Nordic-Baltic security and national defence forum

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Today and tomorrow, Chairman of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Enn Eesmaa and Deputy Chairman of the Committee Leo Kunnas participate in the security and national defence forum of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and the Nordic Countries in Finland to discuss strengthening the security of the region.

Eesmaa said that the meeting of the Chairs of the National Defence Committees of nine countries would discuss the dramatic changes in the security situation in Europe brought about by the war launched by Russia in Ukraine. “Russia poses a direct threat, and all our future decisions must be based on this view. We are pleased that the countries of the Baltic Sea region have already increased their defence spending and are paying more and more attention to their defence capabilities,” he added.

Eesmaa also highlighted Denmark’s accession to the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union, and Finland’s and Sweden’s decision to apply for NATO membership. “We also expect a major contribution to the strengthening of the security of our region from the NATO Summit, which will be held at the end of this month in Madrid,” he said.

The Chairs of the national defence committees of the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark as well as Germany and Poland participate in the forum held in Turku, Finland. The forum will be opened by Chairman of the Defence Committee of the Eduskunta (Parliament) of Finland Petteri Orpo. Chief of Defence of the Republic of Finland, General Timo Kivinen and the representatives of military intelligence, the Ministry of Defence and the National Emergency Supply Agency will speak at the forum. The Chairs of the defence committees will also visit Pansio naval base.

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

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee visits NATO Headquarters and the European Commission in Brussels

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) is on a working to Brussels, Belgium. Today, they will visit NATO Headquarters and the European Commission.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson thinks that the most important task of the countries of the West is to help Ukraine and to bring Russia to a strategic defeat, and the meetings of the Foreign Affairs Committee will focus on this. “Ukraine continues to need economic, military and political support, and this includes using all measures to help Ukraine restore its grain export. It is also necessary to achieve unity in the European Union and to give Ukraine the status of a candidate country,” he said. “At the same time, new ways to put pressure on Russia must be sought. The decision made at the European Council to ditch Russian energy at the first opportunity is important, but it is only one step on this way.”

According to Mihkelson, drafting of NATO’s strategic concept as well as the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will be among the defence and security issues to be discussed at the meetings at NATO Headquarters. “We expect to move on with the accession process as soon as possible. “At the Riigikogu, we ready to ratify the accession protocols immediately after the North Atlantic Council has approved them,” he stated.

In Brussels, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with Pedro Serrano, Head of Cabinet of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, and visit NATO Headquarters, where they will have meetings with Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoană, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General David Cattler and Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges James Appathurai.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson is accompanied on the visit by members of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mihhail Lotman, Mailis Reps and Indrek Saar.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Riigikogu welcomes guests to National Flag Day ceremony and Tall Hermann Tower

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Saturday, 4 June, is the 138th anniversary of the national flag of Estonia. The Board of the Riigikogu and the Estonian Flag Association invite everyone to the solemn flag hoisting ceremony in the Governor’s Garden in Toompea at 7 a.m.

The flag is raised to the sounds of the national anthem of Estonia. Representatives of Aseri School (Ida-Viru County) and the Estonian Male Choir Association will offer their assistance.

President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and Chairman of the Estonian Flag Association Jüri Trei will speak at the ceremony. Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma will speak words of blessing.

The flag-raising units of the Guard Battalion, Defence League, Women’s Home Defence, Young Eagles, Home Daughters, Scouts, Guides, schools, and academic and patriotic organisations will also attend the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden.

The Estonian Military Orchestra will provide the music, and the choirs of the Estonian Female Song Society and the Estonian Male Choir Association will sing “Hoia, Jumal, Eestit” (”God Save Estonia”, with lyrics by Aleksander Leopold Raudkepp) and “Eesti lipp” (“Flag of Estonia”, with lyrics by Martin Lipp).

Tall Hermann Tower is open to visitors from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. In order to ensure smooth entrance, visitors will receive free tickets that indicate the time of entry to the tower.

The National Flag Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the consecration of the blue-black-white flag of the Estonian Students’ Society. The first flag was made in spring 1884 and was blessed and consecrated at Otepää parsonage on 4 June. Today is the 138th anniversary of the consecration of the Estonian national flag.

Programme of the flag raising ceremony.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Parliamentary Assembly calls on increasing assistance to Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At its today’s plenary session, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) approved a declaration in which it condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and calls on increasing military, humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine.

Head of the Riigikogu Delegation to the NATO PA Marko Šorin said that the main purpose of the Spring Session was to express strong support to Ukraine. The session was due to be held in Kyiv, Ukraine, but had to be moved to Vilnius after Russia launched its war. According to him, at the meetings, an overview of the situation in Ukraine was given, and strengthening of the deterrence and defence posture in the Eastern flank of the Alliance, which is of great importance to Estonia, was discussed. The expectations for the NATO summit to be held in Madrid in a month’s time were also spoken about. “It is significant that the Speakers of the Parliaments of Finland and Sweden, who recently applied for NATO membership, also made speeches at today’s plenary sitting. The accession of our Northern neighbours will contribute to boosting security in the whole region,” Šorin pointed out.

In its declaration in support of Ukraine, the NATO PA urges member governments and parliaments of the North Atlantic Alliance to continue supporting Ukraine with all possible assistance and to increase pressure on Russia to cease all military operations. The declaration calls on maintaining and increasing sanctions against Russia, on substantially increasing the level of intelligence sharing and supplying of military equipment to Ukraine, as well as stepping up support to war refugees both within and outside of Ukraine. The NATO PA also urges to investigate the war crimes committed by Russia and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Šorin, who represented the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) at the Spring Session of the NATO PA, also attended the meeting of the Nordic and Baltic delegations in Vilnius and met with the representatives of Kosovo and Georgia. More than 230 parliamentarians from the 30-nation NATO Alliance and from almost 20 partner countries and institutions met at the 2022 Spring Session of the NATO PA, which started on Friday and ended on Monday.

NATO PA declaration Standing with Ukraine (in English)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Ratas participates in the joint visit of Baltic and Nordic Speakers to Moldova

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Today and tomorrow, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas is in Moldova, where he participates in the joint official visit of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Nordic and Baltic States.

Ratas said that the main topic of the visit would be the war launched by Russia and its consequences, including Moldova’s ability to manage the large influx of refugees from Ukraine. “We confirm our readiness to contribute to Moldova’s stability and security. During our visit, we also express our support for Moldova’s closer political and economic integration with the European Union,” he added.

In Chișinău, the Speakers of the Baltic and Nordic Parliaments will meet with President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova Igor Grosu, the Chairs of parliamentary factions, and parliamentary groups. On Tuesday, they will give a joint press conference in the Parliament Building. The Speakers will also have meetings with Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Natalia Gavrilița and visit the refugee centre.

Besides the President of the Riigikogu, Ināra Mūrniece from the Parliament of Latvia, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen from the Parliament of Lithuania, Matti Vanhanen from the Parliament of Finland, Andreas Norlén from the Parliament of Sweden, Masud Gharahkhani from the Parliament of Norway and Birgir Ármannsson from the Parliament of Iceland participate in the visit. Denmark is represented by Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Karen Ellemann.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

National Defence Committee discussed the impact of Finland’s accession to NATO in Helsinki

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meetings held during their two-day working visit to Helsinki, Finland, the delegation of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed how Finland’s decision to apply for NATO membership would influence the security of Finland, Estonia and the Baltic Sea region, and in which areas Estonia and Finland as NATO allies should particularly intensify their defence cooperation.

In the opinion of Chairman of the National Defence Committee Enn Eesmaa, the Defence Committees of Estonia and Finland have excellent, long-standing cooperation and Estonia is very happy that Finland has recently applied to join NATO. “We strongly support the accession decisions of both Finland and Sweden,” he said. “In our discussions with our Finnish colleagues, we spoke about the additional investments of Estonia and Finland to strengthen the defence capability of both countries and about Russia’s criminal military activities in Ukraine. We promised our northern neighbours that the Riigikogu would ratify the protocols on Finland’s accession to NATO as soon as they would be submitted for parliamentary proceedings.”

Deputy Chairman of the National Defence Committee Leo Kunnas added that the Finnish Defence Forces that were based on a reserve army were very strong and Finland’s contribution to collective defence and the security of our region would be significant.

During the visit, the National Defence Committee held a joint sitting with the Defence Committee of the Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland), which is chaired by Petteri Orpo. The members of the National Defence Committee also met with Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Timo Kivinen, Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson and representatives of the National Emergency Supply Agency of Finland, and visited the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA).

Members of the National Defence Committee Heiki Hepner, Peeter Rahnel and Mati Raidma also participated in the visit, along with the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Committee.

The National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu has been cooperating closely and holding annual working meetings with the Defence Committee of the Eduskunta since 1993.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee discussed upholding unity of EU with their Czech colleagues

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Today, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) discussed the priorities of the Czech Presidency of the European Union, including supporting Ukraine, strengthening the defence capability of Europe and the need to uphold the unity of Member States, with the delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson said that Ukraine had to win the war Russia had started against it and restore its territorial integrity without any concessions. In his opinion, Ukraine needs constant military and economic support of the West to achieve that. “We have to be ready to support Ukraine for months, maybe even for years,” he added.

Mihkelson thinks that it is important at the same time to continue putting pressure on Russia. “We have to continue working to impose new sanctions as well as move towards ending the energy dependence of the European countries on Russia,” he explained.

Mihkelson emphasised that as an important political signal, Ukraine needed the status of a candidate state for membership of the European Union at the first opportunity. He is also convinced that it is necessary to do everything to support investigating Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine. “War criminals must not go unpunished but have to bear full responsibility for the crimes they have committed,” he said.

Strengthening of the defence capability of Europe was also discussed at the meeting. In Mihkelson’s opinion, it is necessary to ensure that Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO would be rapid and smooth. He also thinks that the defence and deterrence posture of the alliance should be strengthened and its forward presence on the NATO eastern flank should be enhanced.

Mihkelson pointed out that in further supporting of Ukraine, continuing pressure on Russia and strengthening the defence capability of Europe, it is important that the Member States showed unity. At the meeting with his Czech colleagues, he expressed happiness that the Czech Republic considered keeping and strengthening the unity of states important also during its Presidency of the EU, which will begin on 1 July.

Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Czech Parliament Marek Ženíšek, Vice-Chair of the Committee Jaroslava Pokorná-Jermanová and members of the Committee Marek Benda and Vladimír Balaš participated in the meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

NATO Allies fired Multiple Launch Rocket Systems as part of the Military Exercise “Siil”

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

For the first time in Estonian history, NATO allies conducted live-fire exercises of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) at two different locations in Estonia.

The M270 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) was fired by 19th Battery of the 26th Royal Artillery Regiment of the British Army. The exercise was carried out at the Estonian Defence Force’s Central Training Area (Keskpolügoon) in Harjumaa, Estonia.

The two rocket systems fired together short-range trainer rockets, all of which struck their intended targets.

“The MLRS is the only precision fire system in the British Army. It can fire 12 missiles in less than a minute, up to 84 kilometers,” said Lieutenant Lauren Bailey, the unit’s safety officer.

Meanwhile, US allies fired M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems on naval targets north of the Undva peninsula in Saaremaa.

Undva was also the location for target practice by US A-10 subsonic attack aircraft. The entire operation took place under the supervision of Estonian command and coordination elements.

“After receiving a call for fire support, we determined the targets in cooperation with the Estonian unit. Then, we transmitted this information digitally to the battalion under my command and executed the mission flawlessly,” described Colonel Chris McKee, commander of the 169th Field Artillery Brigade, in Saaremaa.

The live-fire exercise were part of the joint NATO exercise Defender Europe 22 and the Estonian Defence Force exercise “Siil 2022”.

“I have always been impressed by the proficiency of the Estonian Defence Force and the Defence League. They are highly competent soldiers. We’re always happy to come here and train with them. It’s a win-win for both sides,” said Brigadier General Jori Robinson, Commander of the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard.

The long-range multiple launch rocket system has the capability to attack high-value targets at long range. Multiple launch rocket systems use a “shoot-and-scoot” tactic to avoid enemy counterfire.

The weapon systems employ long-range precision munition that is capable at firing at ranges beyond 300 km. The main tasks of the multiple launchers on the battlefield are to suppress and destroy high-value enemy targets. Their role is to eliminate potential threats before they are able to cause damage.

GALLERY

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

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