Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas participates in the meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States and Sweden in Riga, where mutual cooperation and the security situation in Europe following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine will be discussed.
The purpose of the meeting is to have a coordinated discussion on the strengthening of our region’s deterrence and defence capabilities in the context of the current security situation. Using of diplomatic means to put pressure on Russia, implementation of a strong sanctions package and supporting Ukraine will also be spoken of at the meeting.
President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas, Speaker of the Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) of Lithuania Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and Speaker of the Riksdag (Parliament) of Sweden Andreas Norlén will meet in Riga.
At 1.30 p.m., they will give a joint press conference, which will be streamed live on the Riigikogu Facebook page.
At its extraordinary sitting today, the National Defence Committee decided to submit a request to the President of the Riigikogu to convene an additional sitting of the Riigikogu on Tuesday, 1 March, at 10 a.m.
The Committee made a proposal by consensus to the Board of the Riigikogu to convene an additional sitting to discuss the European security situation in light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as a matter of significant national importance.
Reports would be made by Minister of Defence Kalle Laanet and Chairman of the National Defence Committee Enn Eesmaa. The request proposes that the reports would be followed by questions to the speakers and comments by the representatives of political groups and members of the Riigikogu.
After a few days journey from the Sennelager exercise area in northern Germany, a military convoy with six Challenger Main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles from the UK military’s Royal Welsh Regiment arrived in Tapa today, marking the beginning of the arrival of the Royal Welsh to Estonia.
“The integration of Allied units into our defence is not a threat to Russia mentioned by Putin or a violation of his security interests. This is the West’s reaction to the aggressive behaviour of the Russian Federation,” said Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces Lieutenant General Martin Herem.
Over the next few days, over 900 soldiers from the Royal Welsh will be deployed to Estonia, as well as additional vehicles and equipment for the battlegroup. When all the elements have arrived, the Royal Welsh will replace the Royal Tank Regiment as the leading element in the NATO Battlegroup in Tapa and will be integrated into the 1st Brigade of the Estonian Defence Forces.
“Sending an additional Allied unit at a difficult time shows that we can count on our allies even in the most difficult times. Delegation of these units under Estonian command shows confidence and trust in our Defence Forces,” said Lieutenant General Herem.
The Royal Tank Regiment will stay in Tapa over the next few months and will be working closely with the EDF brigades.
“After careful consideration with our Estonian partners, we made the decision to significantly strengthen our military presence in Estonia for the time being,” says Colonel Dai Bevan, Commander of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia. “The UK is certainly not the only Allied nation to bolster its presence in the Baltic region in order to increase deterrence against any hostile activity. But it is important to remember that these reinforcements are purely defensive in nature, and they demonstrate our enduring commitment to the security of Estonia and other states in this region.”
“The commitment of an additional regiment to the NATO Battle Group will allow us to expand our cooperation and involve the 2nd Infantry Brigade more closely in cooperation with the Allied units,” said Lieutenant General Herem.
At the Warsaw Summit in June 2016, the leaders of NATO’s 28 members decided to deploy NATO battlegroups to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland due to the changed security environment. The leading country of the NATO Battlegroup in Estonia is the United Kingdom, with France and Denmark as contributing countries. The first battle group arrived in Tapa in April 2017.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson said in his speech at the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy in Paris today that time had come to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate country for membership in the European Union.
Mihkelson delivered a speech at the Conference, in which he called on his colleagues from Member States to immediately do everything in their power that our unity and solidarity would transform into real support to Ukraine. “Each delay may be a threat to the freedom of the whole Europe,” Mihkelson pointed out.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu invited his colleagues to give an affirmative answer to the 70 per cent of the Ukrainians who wanted to see their country in the European Union. “Ukraine is welcome to become a member of the European Union,” he said.
Mihkelson emphasised in his speech that the free world had to put an end to the unpunished war crimes committed by the leadership of the Russian Federation. “No crime against humanity must remain unpunished,” Mihkelson underlined.
Mihkelson called on all Member States of the EU to protect freedom of speech and find ways to stop broadcasting Russia’s war propaganda channels in Europe.
The original programme of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy, held in Paris today, was cancelled yesterday after Russia launched extensive military activities in Ukraine. The new programme included only items relating to Ukraine. Chairman of the National Defence Committee Enn Eesmaa participated in the Conference via a video bridge.
The representatives of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees of the national parliaments of the European Union and of the European Parliament jointly adopted a declaration, in which they condemn in the strongest terms the Russian military aggression in Ukraine and express their absolute solidarity with the state of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and the legitimate authorities of Ukraine.
Today, President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns and Vice-Presidents of the BA Aadu Must and Andrius Kupčinskas signed a statement regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on behalf of the Assembly.
“On this morning of 24 February 2022, we, the members of the Baltic Assembly, are appalled at the reality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Considering the gross violation of the independence of Ukraine and international law, the Baltic Assembly:
firmly condemns the Russian Federation’s military invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of Belarus in carrying out the attacks;
calls urgently for the Russian Federation to immediately stop the attacks on an independent state that is strongly supported by the European Union and NATO and end any further provocations against Ukraine;
reiterates the full support and solidarity to Ukraine and its people, and the commitment to use all the diplomatic and political means in our power to ensure political, military and financial support for the security of Ukraine;
urges the international community, including the European Union, NATO and other organisations, to actively condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and call for immediate termination of Russia’s attempts to destabilise the security and peace in Europe;
stresses the co-liability of parliamentarians who voted for Russia’s recognition of the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine and allowing Russian troops to carry out military attacks in Ukraine;
concludes that the parliamentarians of the Baltic States have to stand firm against the provocations by the Russian Federation and work with other international organisations to put stop to the unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine and the whole European democratic society.”
F-35 fighter jets, sent to the Baltic region by the U.S. Government in response to Russian Federation’s aggression towards Ukraine, arrived at Ämari air base, Estonia.
“This morning’s large-scale attack towards Ukraine by the armed forces of Russian Federation has brought active and extensive military action to Europe. This aggression confirms that intelligence released by the United States was at top level and NATO’s plan to strengthen the Baltic Sea Region with additional forces is extremely necessary and appreciated, “said Lieutenant General Martin Herem, Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces. Lieutenant General Herem added that since NATO sees the Baltics and Poland as a single area of operations, the decision by the United States will have an impact on the Baltic and Polish region as a whole.
“United States´ decision from this week to strengthen Allied presence in Estonia with its most modern aircraft shows the US readiness to defend its Allies,” Minister of Defense of Estonia, Kalle Laanet said. “We saw the same quick response in 2014 when the United States was the first to bring its fighter aircraft to Ämari Air Base during the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine,” Laanet added.
“We are facing a dynamic environment, and the deployment of F-35s to NATO’s eastern flank for a period of time enhances our defensive posture and amplifies the Alliance’s interoperability,” said General Jeff Harrigian, commander of U.S. Air Force in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander.
The United States has decided to step up deterrence in the Baltic and Polish area by sending fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, AH-64 assault helicopters and 800 members strong unit to the Baltic Sea region.
The F-35 stealth fighters that arrived in Estonia, are the most expensive weapon system in human history and can perform the functions of a fighter jet, a reconnaissance aircraft and a tactical bomber. As a fifth-generation fighter jet, the F-35’s advantages in the battlefield are its survivability and situational awareness, backed by stealth technology, sensors and multi-layered data communications.
The Social Affairs Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia strongly condemn the unprovoked Russia’s massive invasion of democratic Ukraine.
In these dark hours, we stand united with Ukraine and its people and encourage all the European Union Ministers responsible for social affairs to join our efforts to ensure the humanitarian support to the Ukrainian people.
We underline that the Baltic States are doing all in their power to activate needed human and financial resources to be ready to accept the Ukrainian citizens and to provide them with the necessary assistance, including food, accommodation and psychological support.
We invite to encourage civil society together with international NGO’s to strengthen humanitarian aid for Ukrainian people. All international NGO’s (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Order of Malta Relief Organisation, Caritas, Save the Children International, The Global FoodBanking Network) are our commited partners who can provide assistance for people in need in Ukraine.
Let’s encourage our people to support these organisations and Ukrainian people.
On the Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia, a flag raising ceremony was held in the Governor’s Garden at Toompea, Tallinn. President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas said in his speech at the ceremony that unity and solidarity were as important today as during the first years of our Republic.
Ratas said that today, in the early hours of morning, Russia had started a full-scale military attack against Ukraine, and the Government of the Republic of Estonia had decided to start consultations with our NATO allies on the basis of Article 4. “I condemn the totally unjustified aggression against free and peaceful Ukraine. War will bring along much suffering and human victims. It will have an impact on global security. Today, we all are with the country and people of Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers,” Ratas said. “Our response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is a resounding NO. This is a savage attack against the foundations of European security and our shared democratic values.” Ratas added that the unity of the European Union and NATO, their mutual cooperation and support to Ukraine were stronger than ever.
The President of the Riigikogu emphasised that, on the Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia, we feel a deep sense of togetherness with each other. He expressed hope that we would feel this unity every day of our lives. Ratas pointed out that the threat of war in Europe, the long-winded health care crisis and economic worries made us work even harder, care for each other, and seek cooperation. He called everybody to build up Estonia so that the love for homeland would grow in the hearts of all people of Estonia. “The all-round support of the state must also reach all Estonian people and every Estonian family. This is the only way to keep our beloved Estonia standing on a solid foundation,” he said.
Ratas also noted that the flag of Estonia was a symbol of freedom, peace, and independence, and on 27 June this year we would celebrate the 100th anniversary of the day when the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia granted the blue-black-and-white flag the status of the national flag.
Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Urmas Viilma said the words of blessing at the ceremony. He said that the blue-black-white flag flew on the top of the Tall Hermann Tower for all people of Estonia, over all of us. “Blue, black and white are and will remain the colours that unite us all. This flag has never been raised to conquer or to commit violence against anybody under these colours,” Viilma pointed out. He added that, throughout history, the flag of Estonia had been a symbol of hope.
Maarja Mõts, winner of Voldemar Panso Prize and student of the Drama School of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, read out the Estonian Declaration of Independence.
The flag-raising ceremony was attended by President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, President Kersti Kaljulaid, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu Hanno Pevkur and Martin Helme and members of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and members of the Government, as well as representatives of constitutional institutions and the diplomatic corps, the Estonian Flag Association and the leadership of the Defence Forces and the Defence League.
The flag guards of the academic associations, the Defence Forces and the Defence League, patriotic organisations and schools participated the ceremony in the Governor’s Garden. The choirs of the Estonian Male Choir Association and the Tallinn Police Orchestra performed patriotic songs.
Today, the President of the Riigikogu will also participate in the laying of wreaths at the Victory Monument to the War of Independence on the Freedom Square, Tallinn, and attend the festive ecumenical divine service in the St. Mary’s Cathedral at Toompea. President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu Hanno Pevkur and Martin Helme will also attend the parade of the Defence Forces on the Victory Square, Tallinn.
President of the Riigikogu Jüri Ratas and Vice-President of the Riigikogu Martin Helme will deliver speeches at the celebration of the 104th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in the St. George’s Night Park, Tallinn, at 3 p.m.
At today’s additional sitting, the Riigikogu passed the statement in support of the people of Ukraine and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state.
Text of the statement:
“The Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) strongly condemns the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, its sending of troops to Ukraine and its illegal recognition of the occupied regions.
The Riigikogu condemns the violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations by the Russian Federation. By threatening to use force, the Russian Federation is brutally violating the sovereignty of Ukraine and undermining its territorial integrity by using force.
The Riigikogu condemns the activities of the Russian Federation that are in breach of all the principles of international relations established by the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.
The Riigikogu underlines that, according to the Nuremberg Principles, the planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression or a war in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances are crimes against peace. The judgment of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg states that to initiate a war of aggression is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole.
The Riigikogu condemns the provocations in East Ukraine and the spreading of lies in the global media space by the Russian Federation.
The Riigikogu considers it important that the countries of the world support Ukrainian economy and decisively increase military assistance, as Ukraine is a victim of unprovoked aggression by the Russian Federation.
The Riigikogu calls on the member states to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate state of the European Union and a roadmap to membership in NATO.
The Riigikogu calls on the governments and parliaments of all countries to explicitly condemn the aggression by the Russian Federation and to support an immediate implementation of extensive sanctions against the aggressor state.
The Riigikogu calls on the relevant institutions of the European Union to develop measures that would make it impossible to broadcast the Russian Federation media channels spreading war propaganda and national hatred on the territory of the Union.
The Riigikogu calls on international organisations to initiate identification, investigation and prosecution of the war crimes and the perpetrators of the war crimes committed by the Russian Federation in its aggression against Ukraine since 2014.
The Riigikogu expresses firm support to the Ukrainian people as well as to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state.”
During the debate, Raivo Tamm took the floor on behalf of the Faction Isamaa, Enn Eesmaa on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Lauri Läänemets on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction, Eerik-Niiles Kross on behalf of the Reform Party Faction and Henn Põlluaas on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction.
72 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Statement of the Riigikogu “On the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine” (535 AE), submitted by 86 members of the Riigikogu.
The Riigikogu passed an Act on conducting the mass valuation of land in 2022.
The amendments introduced with the Act on Amendments to the Land Valuation Act, the Land Tax Act and Other Acts (406 SE), initiated by the Government, update the criteria for calculating the value of land and bring the land tax into conformity with the principles of the market value of land. The amendments do not concern the current tax exemption on the land under homes.
The Act makes changes to the principles of mass valuation of land. In the future, the Land Board will carry out mass valuation mainly on the basis of the data contained in national databases. In the future, the value zones that are used by local governments to calculate the value of each particular plot of land will no longer be determined upon mass valuation of land. Instead, the taxable value of each plot of land will be determined as a result of valuation.
The last mass valuation of land in Estonia took place in 2001, and in nearly 20 years, the value of land has increased by seven times on the average. The taxable value obtained as a result of mass valuation of land will be the basis for determining land tax, payments for tolerating utility networks and use fee under different usufruct contracts.
According to the Act, the next mass valuation of land will take place in 2022, and after that, valuations will be carried out every four years. The results of the mass valuation of land will be implemented from 2024.
The Act will reduce the maximum land tax rates that local governments can impose. For example, the maximum tax rate will be 0.5 per cent of the taxable value of the land instead of the current 2.5 per cent on residential land and forest land, and 1 per cent on commercial land. The lowering of the maximum tax rates will prevent land tax from becoming too high. In order to ensure a smooth transition to the new price level for the taxpayer, a 10 per cent limit will be imposed on the annual increase in the land tax amount.
The tax exemption on the land under homes will be fully extended on the lands where one of the intended purposes is residential land. For example, if there are business premises on the ground floor of an apartment building and the intended purpose of the plot of land is therefore partly commercial land, the apartment owners residing in the same building cannot enjoy tax exemption to the full extent.
The Act will also provide that, in the future, changes to land tax rates will have to be established at least six months before the beginning of the taxation year. At present, land tax rates are established by 1 February of the taxation year.
As the value of land has increased after the last mass valuation, the payments for tolerating utility networks will also increase by 3.5 to 4 times on the average once the new taxable values of land will be implemented. The payment for tolerating will change gradually during three years, in 2024–2026, each year by one third of the difference between the new and the present payment for tolerating.
One of the amendments provided by the Act concerns the methodology of mass valuation of land. In addition, the provision concerning the entry into force of the Act will be amended, according to which the Act will enter into force on 15 March.
72 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour (9 against) of passing the Act.