ESTONIA

Ratas: Ukraine needs more active support to win the war

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At today’s meeting with First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko and the delegation accompanying him, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas said that Ukraine’s victory in the war with Russia was of key importance and Estonia wished to actively contribute to it.

Ratas underlined that Ukraine was fighting not only for its freedom and independence, but for the whole Europe and the free world. “You have given us all the hope that good will win over evil, light will win over darkness and Ukraine will win this war. The people and the state of Estonia clearly and unanimously support Ukraine on all issues. We would like to do even more in order to give you military, economic and diplomatic aid,” Ratas emphasised at the meeting with the Ukrainian delegation.

Ratas said that one of the aims of the meetings of the Ukrainian delegation in Tallinn was to map both Estonia’s possibilities and Ukraine’s needs in the reconstruction of the country. “I am very happy that Estonia has started cooperation with Zhytomyr Region. I hope that the meetings will lead to specific agreements on how we can contribute to building up the region in the best way,” he added.

Ratas also reconfirmed Estonia’s support to Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. “In the nearest future, I will call on the Speakers of the national parliaments of the European Union countries to encourage the Member States to decide quickly, clearly and unambiguously to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate state of the EU,” he said.

Together with Korniyenko, the 22-member Ukrainian delegation includes five members of the Verkhovna Rada. Other members of the delegation are representatives of the local governments and businesses of Zhytomyr Region.

Photos of the meeting (Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Estonian Defense Forces large military exercise SIIL (Hedgehog) started today

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Estonian Defense Forces large military exercise SIIL 2022 (Hedgehog) started on Monday, in which nearly a total of 15,000 members of the Defense Forces and soldiers of the Allied and Partner countries will participate.

The strength of our Defense Forces is the reservists. By involving them and recalling the necessary skills, we will strengthen the defense capabilities of our country, “said Major General Veiko-Vello Palm, the general leader of the exercise. “This exercise gives us the opportunity to raise the awareness of reservists about military tasks and to practice the activities necessary for the units operations.

The main goal of SIIL 2022 is to check the combat readiness of the Defense Forces and their ability to respond to threat scenarios in an international framework.

The main units controlling the exercise are the 2nd Infantry Brigade and the Strategic Communication Center of the Cyber Command.

This year’s exercise will take place from May 16 to June 3, and the activities will take place through out almost all of Estonia. The main maneuvering activities of the units will take place in Southern Estonia, combat shooting exercises at the Central Training Area of the Defense Forces as well as in Saaremaa.

In addition to SIIL, several other exercises are being conducted in Estonia and its immediate vicinity at the same time. Latvia is organizing the exercise Namejs, within the framework of which, among other things, cross-border co-operation and command procedures with the Estonian Defense Forces will be practiced. As part of the Defender Europe exercise of the US Armed Forces, the US Marines (USMC) are operating in Saaremaa in cooperation with the Allies. Combat artillery exercises are also being carried out at sea. NATO’s Northern Division staff will be conducting the Knight Legion exercise.

The Army, the Air Force and the Navy, the Defense League, the Cyber Command, as well as the Support Command and the Special Operations Command, will take part of SIIL. In addition, the NATO Battlegroup located in Estonia as well as the Allied units arriving here during the exercises will take part of the exercise.

Nearly 7,100 reservists and participant from Estonian Defence League , 2,500 conscripts, 2,000 active duty members and 4,200 allied soldiers from ten countries will take part of SIIL. The exercise uses hundreds of types of equipment, including armoured vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, ships, helicopters and airplanes.

During the three weeks of the exercise, more combat equipment and vehicle columns will be moving on Estonian roads than usual. The Defense Forces are asking drivers to follow temporary traffic management measures and the warnings of regulators, we also hope that fellow road users will maintain an understanding attitude during the exercise.

GALLERY

Source: Estonian Defence Forces

Kivimägi: The role of the EU in covering the costs relating to war refugees must increase

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Toomas Kivimägi said at the Interparliamentary Conference on Migration Challenges in Paris, France, today that Estonia did not support mandatory quotas for refugees but expected greater support from the European Union in compensating the costs relating to war refugees from Ukraine.

Kivimägi pointed out in his speech that, from 24 February, Estonia had received more than 38,000 war refugees from Ukraine. “This is 2.9 per cent of our population. To better understand the proportions, this would equal to France giving shelter to 1.9 million refugees,” he said at the Conference held in the French Senate. He added that the Riigikogu was preparing to adopt an additional budget at the end of May, where nearly 250 million euro were planned for the expenses relating to refugees.

“Despite the big challenge we are facing, Estonia still does not support mandatory quotas for refugees in the EU. We find that it is better for refugees, if possible, to stay in their neighbouring countries and not to flee thousands of kilometres from their homeland. Most of the refugees are planning to return to Ukraine after the end of the war,” said Kivimägi, who thinks it is humane to let refugees choose for themselves the country where to stay in this tragic time.

He also said that Estonia expected the European Union to take a bigger role in compensating the costs relating to refugees to those member states that have accepted more refugees. In his opinion, the role of the European Union in strengthening its external border should also grow. “It is not fair to leave the Member States on their own with these costs. We have to protect our borders well, and we have to do it together,” Kivimägi said at the Conference.

Deputy Chair of the Constitutional Committee Eduard Odinets attends the Interparliamentary Conference on Migration Challenges together with Kivimägi.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Siim Kallas meets with his Baltic and Polish counterparts

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Today and tomorrow, Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Siim Kallas participates in the meeting of the Chairs of the European Union Affairs Committees of the parliaments of the Baltic States and Poland in Warsaw.

“As close neighbours of Ukraine, we in the Baltic States and Poland are well aware of the consequences Russia’s aggression. More than 37,000 Ukrainian war refugees have arrived in Estonia, and that number is even greater in Lithuania and Poland,” Kallas said. “At this meeting, we can discuss together how to continue supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainians, how to overcome the challenges caused by the crisis and which positions we should defend together in the European Union.”

The meeting of the Chairs of the European Union Affairs Committees of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland will focus on the objectives and challenges of the European Union in the face of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The impacts of the war on economy, migration and humanitarian situation will also be discussed.

Minister for European Affairs of Poland Konrad Szymański will also take part in the discussion on urgent EU issues. The migration problems and humanitarian challenges caused by the war will also be discussed with Government Plenipotentiary for war refugees from Ukraine, Secretary of State Paweł Szefernaker.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The delegation of the Verkhovna Rada and Zhytomyr Region visits Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko and the delegation of the members of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, and representatives of the local governments and businesses of Zhytomyr Region is on a visit to Tallinn.

On Sunday, the 22-member Ukrainian delegation visits the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, e-Estonia Briefing Centre, NGO Slava Ukraini and the cruise ferry M/S Isabelle that provides accommodation to war refugees from Ukraine. They also attend a ceremony in Tallinn Town Hall, where Chairman of Tallinn City Council Jevgeni Ossinovski presents Korniyenko Tallinn City Decoration of Honour awarded to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a special tribute from the city. In the evening, the Ukrainian delegation will attend the dinner hosted by President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas.

On Monday, the Ukrainian delegation will have meetings at the Riigikogu with Jüri Ratas and the Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, as well as with Minister of Culture Tiit Terik, Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Andres Sutt and Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas. The Ukrainian delegation will also meet with the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Centre for International Development, and the cyber security company CybExer.

Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Korniyenko will leave Estonia on Monday evening. On Tuesday, other members of the Ukrainian delegation will visit the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities, Muuga Kindergarten and the Estonian Woodhouse Association, and have meetings with the Estonian entrepreneurs and Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets.

Together with Korniyenko, the Ukrainian delegation includes five members of the Verkhovna Rada. Other members of the delegation are representatives of the local governments and businesses of Zhytomyr Region. During the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, Estonia will focus on assisting this region.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Ratas discussed Ukraine’s EU perspective with President of the European Parliament

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas met with the President of European Parliament Roberta Metsola today in Tallinn to discuss giving Ukraine a quick and clear perspective for joining the European Union.

Estonia supports giving Ukraine the status of an EU candidate country as soon as possible. “Ukraine deserves a clear EU accession perspective. By making Ukraine a candidate country, the European Union would send a strong political message,” he said.

Ratas and Metsola discussed the options of the European Union and the Member States to offer even more military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and increase economic pressure on Russia.

They also talked about post-war rebuilding of Ukraine and the need to coordinate the relevant help. Estonia is ready to put a long-term focus on rebuilding Zhytomyr Oblast after the war. On Sunday, a delegation of Ukrainian MPs, local government representatives, and businessmen is arriving to Estonia to discuss the needs for help.

Photos of the meeting (Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Ratas confirmed willingness to contribute to post-war rebuilding of Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas met the Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian parliament Olena Kondratiuk, pledging Estonia’s strong support and readiness to contribute in the long term to the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine.

Ratas promised that Estonia would continue to offer every possible support to Ukraine and do everything to encourage our partners to also continue providing military, economic, and political aid. “Estonia’s role is to intensify its efforts to urge other countries to offer more help to Ukraine as well – in the shape of actions rather than words,” he said.

Concerning the post-war rebuilding of Ukraine, Estonia is planning to focus particularly on Zhytomyr Oblast. Estonia is also a staunch supporter of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. “Estonia strongly encourages giving Ukraine the status of a European Union candidate country, and we are doing our best to move the process along as quickly as possible,” he said.

Kondratiuk addressed the Riigikogu at the beginning of the sitting and will meet the members of the Estonia-Ukraine parliamentary group later today. She will also meet with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo, Minister of Health and Labour Tanel Kiik, and leadership of the Ukrainian community. The Deputy Chair of the Ukrainian parliament will also visit the passenger ferry M/S Isabelle which is used to house Ukrainian war refugees.

Photos of the visit (Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Foreign Affairs Committee discusses supporting Ukraine in the Netherlands

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) visiting the Netherlands will speak about continuing support to Ukraine in the war with Russia at the meetings in the Parliament of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Criminal Court (ICC) today. Among other things, investigating the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine on its path of joining the European Union will be discussed.

Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson said that the main topic of all meetings held in the Netherlands would be giving even stronger military, economic and political support to Ukraine to help the country win the war with Russia. “Ukraine is fighting for the whole Europe. We will certainly discuss with our colleagues how to help Ukraine also on their path to the European Union,” he added.

In the International Criminal Court (ICC), the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee will meet with President of the Court Piotr Hofmański, Prosecutor of the Court Karim Khan and Deputy Prosecutor Mandiaye Niang, with whom they will discuss investigating Russia’s crimes against international law, and the activities of the Criminal Court. “The brutal and systematic crimes of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide crimes committed in Ukraine must be documented in international cooperation, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice and prosecuted. Estonia will support the ICC’s investigation and collection of evidence in every way, and we will also be sending our experts to the region,” Mihkelson said.

Besides meetings in the Parliament of the Netherlands and the International Criminal Court, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee also plans to have meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies.

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee is accompanied on the visit by members of the Committee Ruuben Kaalep, Mihhail Lotman, Mailis Reps and Indrek Saar.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Deputy Chair of Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk visits Estonia

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Olena Kondratiuk, Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine will visit Estonia. On Thursday, she will meet with the state leaders of Estonia and make an address to the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia).

Kondratiuk will deliver her address at the sitting of the Riigikogu which will start at 10 a.m. on Thursday. She will have meetings with President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and members of the Estonia-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group.

During her visit, the Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada will also meet with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo and Minister of Health and Labour Tanel Kiik. Kondratiuk will visit the passenger ship Isabelle that provides accommodation to war refugees from Ukraine and will meet with the head of the Ukrainian community in Estonia.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu discussed use of privatisation proceeds

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At its today’s sitting, the Riigikogu discussed whether the owners of restituted historical buildings that have not been classified as architectural monuments but are located in heritage conservation areas should also have the possibility to apply for support allocated from the ownership reform reserve fund. However, it was decided to reject the relevant Bill.

The Bill on Amendments to the Use of Privatisation Proceeds Act (538 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa, would have provided for the use of privatisation proceeds for the maintenance, repair, conservation, restauration and renovation of buildings that were restituted in the course of the ownership reform and are located in heritage conservation areas.

It was pointed out in the explanatory memorandum of the Bill that there are 12 heritage conservation areas in Estonia, and with the exception of Rebala Heritage Reserve, they are all located in historic town centres, in Tallinn, Valga, Tartu, Pärnu, Võru, Paide, Viljandi, Kuressaare, Rakvere, Haapsalu and Lihula. The explanatory memorandum noted that the same restrictions and environmental requirements apply to the renovation of buildings located in heritage conservation areas as for architectural monuments, but the owners of restituted buildings located in heritage conservation areas cannot apply for the support allocated from the ownership reform reserve fund if the building is not classified as a cultural monument.

The explanatory memorandum also underlined the need to find flexible additional possibilities for the preservation of valuable architectural heritage. The Bill did not provide for increasing the allocations from the ownership reform reserve fund for restoration of restituted architectural monuments.

During the debate, Marika Tuus-Laul from the Centre Party Faction, Jaak Juske from the Social Democratic Party Faction and Tarmo Kruusimäe from Faction Isamaa took the floor.

The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 36 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 17 voted against. Thus, the motion was supported and the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings of the Riigikogu.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording of the sitting will be available on Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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