Today, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson said at the meeting with the new Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Estonia Vladimir Lipaev that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and global peace as well as the war crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine had an extremely negative impact, among other things, on Estonian-Russian relations.
“The relations between Estonia and Russia will remain at a low ebb until Russia has not ended the war against Ukraine, withdrawn its occupation forces from the territory of sovereign Ukraine and taken responsibility for gross violation of international law,” Mihkelson said. The Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee added that, according to the principles of the United Nations, even threatening with war and starting an aggression are crimes against peace.
In Mihkelson’s opinion, the horrible crimes committed by Russia’s armed forces in Bucha and elsewhere in Ukraine during recent weeks are nothing else but an attempt to indiscriminately destroy the population of Ukraine. “The international community will contribute to the recording of the war crimes, so that those who committed these crimes could be brought to justice. A brutal violation of international law must not remain unpunished,” he emphasised.
The Riigikogu has repeatedly expressed its support to the people of Ukraine and called for taking immediate steps that would limit the ability of the aggressor state to wage war, including a full trade embargo.
At today’s sitting of the Riigikogu, Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo made a report and gave an overview of the implementation of the long-term national development strategy “Estonia 2035” in her field.
The minister said that the Ministry of Social Affairs was working to ensure a socially secured and happy living environment. Riisalo added that, according to the strategy “Estonia 2035”, the main tasks for 2021 for the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Minister of Social Protection were to address three big issues in depth: to comprehensively develop a system supporting mental health and to reduce mental and physical violence, to develop integrated provision of human-centered health care and social services, and to design social protection, and to update cost models, taking into account societal changes and the negative turn of the demographic situation.
“The population of Estonia is decreasing and, according to projections, it will be about 1.2 million by 2035,” Riisalo said. She noted that a population policy committee had been formed to map the points of concern in population and migration issues and to find potential solutions regarding the viability of our people. “Migration has an important place in Estonia’s population processes, and in tense security situations often new migration routes also open up which means that it is important to know the needs of the state and to be aware of the risks involved,” Riisalo said.
The minister admitted that, while the strategy document “Estonia 2035” had been drafted, it had been impossible to foresee the current situation but we as a flexible country needed to adjust our decisions. “At present, refugees from Ukraine need our help and attention,” Riisalo underlined. She pointed out that it was also important to keep contact with the Estonian community abroad who numbered nearly 200,000. The minister noted that recently the government committee had obtained an overview of the measures intended to integrate new immigrants into our society as well as to help returners adapt.
Riisalo stated that we must not forget the most vulnerable groups, people with special needs. “I am glad that, in recent years, we have been extremely successful in engaging people with special needs in society for example by providing them various opportunities in the labour market,” the minister said. She also said that mental health was becoming increasingly important by the day. “Mental health help must be available and of high quality, and it must be based on the person’s needs and support both the person who needs help and his or her close ones,” Riisalo said.
“The central principle of Estonian social welfare is to support the independent and dignified life of people at home for as long as possible,” the minister said. She added that services should be available as close to home as possible and the provision of assistance should start from local government and be as free of bureaucracy as possible and the path of the provision of assistance should be easily understandable. “Unfortunately the estimated need for domestic services remains higher than the capacity of local governments and the state to provide them,” the minister said and emphasised that a long-term care reform was needed urgently.
The minister also underlined in her report that it was necessary to reduce gender inequality and poverty and to take action to increase gender equality and social inclusion. In addition, she pointed out that it was also important to raise people’s awareness of collecting finances and planning financial resources.
During the debate, Priit Sibul took the floor on behalf of Faction Isamaa, Õnne Pillak on behalf of the Reform Party Faction, Siret Kotka on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Jaak Valge on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and Helmen Kütt on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction.
The Riigikogu passed a Resolution
The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Removal of a Member and Appointment of a New Member of the Supervisory Board of the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre” (563 OE), submitted by the Environment Committee, provides for the removal of Martin Repinski from the Supervisory Board of the Foundation Environmental Investment Centre and the appointment of Tõnis Mölder as a member of the board.
72 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the Resolution.
At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill on the liability insurance of health service provider and heard replies to five interpellations.
The second reading of the Bill on the Mandatory Liability Insurance of Health Service Provider (522 SE), initiated by the Government, which had been adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the plenary sitting on 24 March, continued at today’s sitting.
The purpose of the Bill is to create the systems for patient insurance and compensation for vaccine damages. Patient insurance is the mandatory liability insurance for providers of health care services. The Bill will provide for the principles and organisation of the mandatory liability insurance of providers of health care services, as well as the bases for and extent of the damage subject to compensation to the patient. The new system will be established with the aim of better protection of the patient and simpler application for compensation.
In the case of a damage event where it would have been possible to prevent health damage in the treatment of a patient, the insurance provider will evaluate the circumstances of the claim. The insurance amount will be up to 100,000 euro per injured patient, and three million euro per whole one-year period of insurance.
The Bill will also establish the minimum requirements for the organisation of patient safety. An information analysis system will be established with a view to preventing threat and damage events.
At the same time, the Bill will amend the Medicinal Products Act and provide for vaccine insurance, or mandatory insurance against vaccine damages, the purpose of which is to create a simplified procedure for compensating to people serious damage to their health due to vaccination.
Besides, an opportunity will be created under the Health Insurance Act to also include in a list of diseases, in addition to the diseases treated with medicines with a valid reference price or price agreement, the diseases in the case of which the prices of the medicinal products used to treat the diseases are formed in joint procurements of medicinal products of the European Commission.
19 motions to amend the Bill had been submitted for the second reading. The motions that were supported included the right of employees of the State Agency of Medicines to obtain access, with the consent of the person, to the personal data in the health information system in order that experts could assess the connection between the health damage and the vaccination, taking into account the health data predating the vaccination.
Faction Isamaa moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill. The result of voting: 7 votes in favour and 51 against. The motion was not supported. The second reading was concluded.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning the updating of the National Security Concept
The interpellation had been submitted by members of the Riigikogu Leo Kunnas, Alar Laneman, Henn Põlluaas, Kalle Grünthal, Paul Puustusmaa, Siim Pohlak, Urmas Reitelmann, Merry Aart, Rene Kokk, Ruuben Kaalep, Anti Poolamets and Mart Helme.
The interpellators wished to know which military national defence capability developments the Government was prioritising and what was being planned to fill these capability gaps.
Kallas explained that Russia’s war in Ukraine had created a completely new security situation both in Europe and in the Baltic Sea region more specifically. “Russia’s aim and interest is to restore spheres of influence in Europe, and the events in Ukraine are showing that Russia is using military force indiscriminately for this end,” Kallas noted. She added that, since war was going on in Ukraine and nobody knew exactly how long it would last or how it would end, much had changed and therefore the updating of the national security concept had also been put on hold. “We will continue this work as soon as the situation is clearer. At present, we are trying to support Ukraine as much as possible, to increase the cost of the military aggression for Russia, and to eliminate capability gaps in the comprehensive national defence of Estonia quickly,” Kallas said.
Kallas noted that the Government had allocated additional funds to all priority areas, taking into account also Ukraine’s experience. “First, air defence. This means air defence systems, missiles, anti-tank weaponry, launchers, rockets and territorial defence. We will strengthen the territorial defence based on the Defence League by using the willingness of Estonian citizens to contribute to national defence. As regards indirect fire, we will increase the number of K9 self-propelled howitzers and we will acquire multiple-launch rocket systems. In situational awareness, we will increase the situational awareness capability of the Defence Forces. And then, the allied presence, additional infrastructure developments to host allied forces both in Tapa and in Ämari,” Prime Minister explained.
“In addition, the Government deems it necessary to develop medium-range air defence and for this, the Ministry of Defence is holding consultations with our allies and then we will proceed accordingly. Within four months, a plan for acquiring medium-range air defence will have to be submitted to the Government. However, final decisions will be made in the state budget strategy,” Kallas said.
Kallas emphasised the importance of civil protection, the rescue capability corresponding to military threats. “We also support the crisis preparedness of local governments, and these areas will also receive significant extraordinary funding in the coming years. We also attach importance to border security and the police response capability. Equally important are cyber defence, strategic communication and several other areas, which will also get attention in the supplementary budget,” Prime Minister said.
“In Estonia’s security policy, we are following the principle that whole Estonia must be equally protected in terms of both territory and the people who live here,” Kallas emphasised.
Prime Minister also replied to the interpellation concerning the protection of civilians, Minister of the Interior Kristian Jaani replied to the interpellation concerning the activities of the police and the interpellation concerning the lawfulness of the activities of a police prefect, and Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo replied to the interpellation concerning the demographic crisis.
The Riigikogu heard two oaths of office
Substitute member of the Riigikogu Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart took the oath of office and Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise took the oath of office for a second term.
During the open microphone, Tarmo Kruusimäe took the floor.
The sitting ended at 9.27 p.m.
Photos(Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Today and tomorrow, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson meets with the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States (NB8) in Riga, Latvia. The main topics to be discussed at the meeting are Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, NATO’s cooperation with neighbouring countries and the spread of false information. It is also planned to hold a video conference with the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Parliament of Ukraine.
Mihkelson said that the latest news about the crimes committed against the people of Ukraine, which had taken on the proportions of genocide, were horrifying. “The only acceptable solution will be the total victory of Ukraine. In order to achieve this, harsher sanctions, and all types of military aid to Ukraine are needed,” Mihkelson stated. He added that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine was accompanied by information war, and it was of crucial importance that false information was exposed and propaganda would not be given screen time. The Chairman welcomed the fact that, for the first time in several years, all Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees could meet physically to discuss issues of importance to us.
Today, the Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees will visit Ādaži Military Base and meet with State Secretary of Ministry of Defence of Latvia Jānis Garisons, with whom they will speak about the NATO Summit that will be held in Madrid in June, NATO’s cooperation with the countries that are not members of the organisation, like Finland and Sweden, and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Tomorrow there will be a meeting with former President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to discuss the geopolitics and challenges relating to democratic and authoritarian regimes. Jānis Sārts, the Director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, will speak about false information and communication strategies.
There will also be a video conference with the members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) to discuss the situation and the diplomatic efforts relating to it, the International Military Tribunal, the humanitarian issues, assistance to Ukraine and the European Union membership perspective for Ukraine.
The Nordic-Baltic cooperation, or NB8, is a regional cooperation format of five Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) and three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) for informal discussion of current regional and international topics.
On April 1st, the ninth Blue Hepatica Campaign “Let Us Salute!” will begin, inviting people to wear the Blue Hepatica pin in recognition of veterans of the Defence Forces and the Defence League of Estonia and the veterans of Ukraine.
This year, donations will be collected to support veterans, their relatives and the healthcare industry more broadly. Proceeds from the sale of the Blue Hepatica pins will help to acquire the necessary hand robot for the ITK Rehabilitation Clinic and cover the costs of treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans, in addition to supporting veterans of the Defence Forces and the Defence League of Estonia.
“During this complicated time, we thank our veterans, who have made their contribution to ensuring the security and defence of our country. It is good to live with the knowledge that the Estonian people can count on the brave men and women of our Defence Forces and Defence League no matter what,” said the Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet. “Right now our thoughts and actions are directed towards supporting Ukraine, which is also why part of this year’s Blue Hepatica Campaign funds will also go towards the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans. This is another way in which Estonia is again showing that we support Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor,” added the Laanet.
After a two-year break, you can once again enjoy health sports at the Blue Hepatica Runs, which take place in April in Tartu, Pärnu, Narva, Tallinn, Saaremaa and Copenhagen. You can also participate virtually – at a time and place of your choice. The highlight of the campaign will be Veteran Rock in Tartu on April 23 in honour of Veterans Day, where Kosmikud with the Military Orchestra, Propeller, Horror Dance Squad and the Vahipataljon band will perform at the concert starting at 7 p.m. The Skywheel of Tallinn and the arch bridge of Tartu will be in the colours of the Hepatica in April. You can find information about the events of the veterans month on the website annameau.ee.
Enn Adoson, Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Society of Wounded Soldiers (EVVÜ) explains “Over a couple of years we are once again pleased to be able to invite people to participate in public events and recognize our great veterans of the Defense Forces and the Defense League.” “Unfortunately, in the last two years, these events have been cancelled due to the coronavirus, and even this year we cannot organise in peace due to what is happening in Ukraine. We are definitely planning to donate some of the donations collected during this campaign for the benefit of Ukrainian veterans. I invite everyone to actively participate in the Blue Hepatica campaign and thus support our veterans. ” added Adoson.
The campaign runs from April 1 to April 30. During this period, the Blue Hepatica pin can be purchased as a donation at several stores: COOP, Selver, R-Kiosk, Apollo, Karupoeg Puhh and Myfitness sports clubs, in addition to Apotheka e-pharmacy. In cooperation with Itella Smartpost, campaign products can be ordered directly from the eshop of the www.annameau.ee website.
Throughout Estonia, the Volunteers of the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation help collect donations by selling products with Blue Hepatica symbols in accordance with the conditions of restrictions.
The Blue Hepatica campaign is carried out by the Estonian Society of Wounded Soldiers in cooperation with the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation, the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Forces, Estonian Defence Forces Veterans’ NPO, Coop, Selver, Apotheka, R-kiosk, Apollo, Myfitness, Karupoeg Puhh, Milworks, HUUM, Go Craft, Threod Systems, BAE Systems, Cybernetica, Nordic Armoury, MARU Ehitus, Tactical Foodpack, Half An Hour Gives Me Power, Estonian Volleyball Federation, Estonian Football Association, Estonian Basketball Federation, Fendernet, Digitrükk, Itella Estonia, Swedbank, Telia, Montonio, and Minilaod.
Additional information: Blue Hepatica Campaign Coordinator Laura Milk, +372 55 922 290; sinilill.ee@gmail.com
On Sunday, members of the Estonian delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Marko Šorin and Sven Sester will observe the presidential and early parliamentary elections in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
“Elections always form an important milestone in the democratic life of a country,” said member of the delegation Marko Šorin. “I hope that the upcoming elections lead Serbia into an era where the key words are more unity and less polarisation,” Šorin said.
Member of the delegation Sven Sester said that the perspective of members of national parliaments along with that of the representatives of the OSCE democratic institutions and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and the European Parliament results in an honest and impartial assessment whether the elections are carried out in a correct and transparent manner. “As we saw, tensions between the governing coalition and the opposition reached a point where the opposition boycotted the 2020 parliamentary elections,” Sester said.
Election observation missions have been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards. More than 80 members of national parliaments will observe the parliamentary elections in Serbia within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. In total, over 300 observers will participate in the mission.
For more information, please contact: Marko Šorin +372 5647 6950 Sven Sester +372 504 9222
On Sunday, members of the Estonian delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Heljo Pikhof and Anti Poolamets will observe the parliamentary elections in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
“The upcoming parliamentary elections offer the Hungarian people a valuable chance to express their opinion,” said member of the delegation Heljo Pikhof. “At the same time, it offers the state the chance to demonstrate its commitment to free and democratic elections,” Pikhof continued. She added that the task of the elections observers is to give an honest and accurate assessment to the elections.
More than 100 members of national parliaments will observe the parliamentary elections in Hungary within the framework of the mission organised by the OSCE PA. The purpose of the mission is to assess the elections against democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document.
Election observation missions have been an important part of OSCE’s activities since 1993. The missions monitor whether the elections are conducted legitimately and respect the democratic standards.
For more information, please contact: Heljo Pikhof +372 511 9637 Anti Poolamets +372 5691 4374
President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas continues his visit in Prague, where he will meet with the leadership of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and with the Speakers of the Parliaments of other Baltic States and deliver the opening address at the Baltic conference held at Charles University.
In the speech at Charles University, Ratas will speak about the 100 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Estonia and the Czech Republic, the fruitful relations between the two countries and the possibilities for development. He will also discuss topical issues relating to the international situation.
At the meetings with the Speakers of the Parliaments of other Baltic States, Ratas will give an overview of his recent visit to war-torn Ukraine and discuss cooperation opportunities for resolving the complicated situation there.
Importance of the role of the European Union and NATO as well as their responsibility in ensuring the security of the eastern flank of the EU will also be spoken about. The issues relating to the energy security of the region and receiving of war refugees will be discussed as well.
The agenda of the visit also includes the joint press conference of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States.
During the visit, Jüri Ratas will meet with President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Miloš Vystrčil and President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
In his speech at the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments in Ljubljana, Slovenia, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas underlined the importance of granting a European Union perspective to Ukraine and the significance of being persistent when imposing sanctions on Russia and helping Ukraine.
The President of the Riigikogu noted that the EU had been quick and efficient in its response to Russia’s aggression. “Ukraine has received defence, humanitarian and economic aid. The packages of sanctions that have been adopted are impressive as well as extensive. The political exclusion of Russia from international associations and organisations is progressing,” Ratas said. “The preparation of further economic sanctions is continuing because it is our task to make the cost of military activities as high as possible for the aggressor. War crimes must not go unpunished. The Kremlin will have to retreat,” the President of the Riigikogu emphasised. He also pointed out that it seemed to be the right moment to step up the defence expenditures of all EU countries.
“In doing all this, we should not get tired or leave things as they are, even though the sanctions against Russia have an effect on us as well,” Ratas said. He admitted that receiving war refugees was a serious challenge for countries. He noted that the impacts of managing the crisis would become evident over time. He pointed out that supporting the restoration of Ukraine after the war would also be an important task for the future. “Keeping all this in mind, we must be persistent and strategically patient,” Ratas added.
The President of the Riigikogu made a proposal to his EU counterparts to hold an online meeting in autumn in order to make a brief interim summary of the progress in supporting Ukraine and of what more could be done to perpetuate freedom, democracy and the rule of law in our direct neighbourhood.
In Ljubljana, Ratas had bilateral meetings with President of the Storting (Parliament) of Norway Masud Gharahkhani, Speaker of the Althingi (Parliament) of Iceland Birgir Ármannsson, President of the Bundestag of Germany Bärbel Bas, Speaker of the National Assembly of Bulgaria Nikola Minchev, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković and Vice-Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania Vasile-Daniel Suciu. He also participated in the meeting of the Speakers of the parliaments of the Baltic States and Poland and the meeting of the Speakers of the parliaments of the Nordic Countries and the Baltic States.
The visit of the President of the Riigikogu will continue in Prague, Czech Republic, where he will meet with the Speakers of the parliaments of Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
The Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of European states made a Joint Statement in which they call on supporting Ukraine and helping the war refugees, and underline that all those responsible for the aggression must be brought to justice by international courts. The Statement also appeals to the European Union to provide financial resources to support the countries which are taking in refugees from Ukraine.
“We, the Chairpersons of our Parliaments’ Foreign Affairs Committees, condemn the Russian aggression against free and independent Ukraine. There is no justification for the criminal actions taken by Russia. Killing defenceless civilians and destroying residential, school, and medical facilities exclude Russia from the community of civilised countries. Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine is a war crime.
We call on the authorities of the EU Member States and NATO, and all friendly countries that respect democracy, freedom, and human rights, to introduce the strongest possible sanctions that will prevent the Russian Federation from continuing its war against Ukraine.
We recall the reprehensible and illegal aid given to Russia by Belarus. The activities of the Lukashenka regime should also meet with a response from the international community in the form of sanctions to stop further support for military actions.
The barbaric actions of the Russian army cause dramatic suffering of the civilian population and destroy Ukrainian towns and villages. There are reports of bombing hospitals, schools, places of worship, facilities, culture, residential buildings, and shelters. Systematic bombardments terrorise the civilian population. Ten million Ukrainian citizens were forced to leave their homes and flee, of which over three and a half million seek refuge outside Ukraine. This is the largest migration crisis in Europe since World War II. We appeal for increased humanitarian and military support for Ukraine. Each country separately, the European Union and NATO, have a moral duty to support the fighting Ukraine. Therefore, we recommend the earliest possible launch of procedures that will allow Ukraine to become a candidate country and then a full member of the European Union when it meets the membership criteria. And already today, we propose that Ukraine should be admitted to the Three Seas Initiative.
We support the same European perspective for the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, which in the past have also experienced Russian aggression.
Countries of Central and Eastern Europe bear the most significant burden in organising humanitarian aid. Therefore, we call on the European Union to provide financial resources to support the countries which are taking in refugees from Ukraine. Helping the victims of war is our duty, but it is also a huge challenge. We, therefore, appeal to the international community to show solidarity and provide all possible assistance to the refugees.
We strongly express our conviction that Russia bears full responsibility for this war, and for the destruction and suffering of millions of Ukrainian citizens. All those responsible for the aggression must be brought to justice by international courts.”