ESTONIA

The Social Affairs Committee sent amendments to the Health Services Organisation Act to first reading

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) decided to send the Bill on Amendments to the Health Services Organisation Act and Other Acts to the first reading. The purpose of the Bill is to make the health care system more flexible and ensure better availability of general medical care. The Bill provides that from 1 July, general medical care will be organised by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund instead of the Health Board.

Chair of the Social Affairs Committee Siret Kotka said that the Bill would provide the possibility to ensure medical care in the situations where public competitions for finding family physician for a practice list have failed or a practice list unexpectedly remains without a family physician. “In the current situation, it is optimal that the local hospital will take the people who have lost their family physician under its care until a new family physician is found. The hospitals can keep a constant eye on the people, and this will reduce the burden of emergency medicine departments,” she explained.

Deputy Chair of the Social Affairs Committee Helmen Kütt stated that she supported the Bill. “It is a very good bill. Extending of the rights of nurses is especially welcome,” she said, pointing out that when the Bill would enter into force, specialised nurses would get the right to issue prescriptions on certain medicines like family nurses. The nurses will also be given the right to issue certificates of incapacity for work. “However, there is a concern about the arrangements for informing patients if the search for a family physician has been unsuccessful and the family physician service is to be organised by the hospital. And also how long is the notion “temporary solution”,” Kütt admitted.

The Health Services Organisation Act will also include the right of persons residing in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and persons with health insurance legally staying in Estonia to register in the practice list of a family physician and to change a family physician on the basis of a written application. Besides that, the family physicians will be obliged to inform the persons in the practice list at least six months in advance if the place of business of the family physician changes.

It was pointed out at the sitting that half of the young doctors who had acquired the specialty of a family physician did not start working as family physicians with a practice list within five years after completing their training but worked in some other post as a contracted doctor. In order to encourage young doctors to start working as family physicians, they will be allowed to start with a shorter practice list so that a beginner family physician would have time for getting to know the patients and settle in.

From the Ministry of Social Affairs, Minister of Health and Labour Tanel Kiik also participated in the sitting of the Committee.

The Social Affairs Committee decided to send the Bill on Amendments to the Health Services Organisation Act and Other Acts (533 SE), initiated by the Government, to the first reading at the plenary sitting on 6 April, with the motion to conclude the first reading of the Bill.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Bill on additional days of rest passed the first reading in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At today’s sitting of the Riigikogu, the Bill under which the working day following a national day or public holiday falling on a day of rest will be an additional day of rest passed the first reading.

Under the Bill on Amendments to the Public Holidays and Days of National Importance Act (514 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, no additional day of rest will be given for public holidays that always fall on a Sunday. This means that, according to the Bill, Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday will not be compensated with a day off.

The explanatory memorandum notes that Estonia has ten public holidays accompanied by a day off, and the European Union countries’ average is 12. As for the neighbouring countries, Finland has 13 and Latvia has 12 moveable holidays.

A Bill was dropped from the proceedings

The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (503 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction and Member of the Riigikogu Raimond Kaljulaid, provided that the rate of the income exempt from tax would be increased to the minimum wage level.

According to the Bill, from 1 July, the rate of the income exempt from tax would have been 654 euro per month and from then onwards 7848 euro per year. The increase of the rate of the income exempt from tax was intended to improve the livelihood of the low wage earners, increase their motivation to work and reduce the burden on the social system.

During the debate, Lauri Läänemets took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction and Aivar Sõerd on behalf of the Reform Party Faction.

The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 48 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 28 voted against. Thus, the motion was supported and the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Meeting of President of the Riigikogu and Foreign Minister of Croatia focused on the war in Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At their meeting today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlić-Radman spoke about the security situation and defence cooperation in NATO and the European Union in connection with the war in Ukraine.

Ratas underlined the excellent relations between Estonia and Croatia in the European Union and their strong allied relations in NATO. “In the current security situation, it is very important to keep our unity,” Ratas said. He acknowledged Croatia’s membership in and contribution to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

According to Ratas, Estonia will continue to provide military, political, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He and the Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs gave an overview of receiving of war refugees and the activities to support them in their countries.

Developments in West Balkan were also discussed. Ratas stated that Estonia supported the enlargement of the European Union, because keeping both West Balkan and the Eastern Partnership countries on the course towards the European Union and supporting their reforms was important for securing the stability and security of Europe.

Speaking of bilateral relations, Ratas highlighted the e-services, where a good foundation for further cooperation had been laid, because already now the digital prescriptions service was functioning across the borders. Cooperation in defence industry also holds a great potential.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia expressed regret that, due to Russia’s aggression, the security and stability in Europe, as well as values and international law were under attack. He said that Croatia understood the people of Ukraine very well, because in the 1990s Croatia also experienced war. At the meeting, he described an incident where last week a drone from Ukraine that had flown over several NATO countries unnoticed fell down in a suburb of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and emphasised that in order to prevent such incidents in the future, the member states had to cooperate better in air policing.

Chairman of the Estonia-Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group Jüri Jaanson and Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Mihhail Lotman also participated in the meeting. Lotman gave an overview of his recent visit to Ukraine and said that Putin’s regime had launched a war not only against Ukraine, but against all Western values. Jaanson spoke of the humanitarian disaster caused by the war in Ukraine. Both Jaanson and Lotman underlined that we need to distinguish between Putin’s regime and the Russian people.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Ratas discussed cooperation in fighting against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine with his Spanish counterpart

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas held a video conference with President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain Meritxell Batet. They discussed the current security situation and cooperation in fighting against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Ratas believes that the allied relations between Estonia and Spain are closer than ever before. He thanked Spain for their contribution to the collective defence and air policing of the Baltic region and expressed hope that Spanish troops would return to Ämari Air Base next year. “In the present situation, it is important to continue strengthening NATO’s Eastern Flank, which is ensured by the permanent presence of the allies in the Baltic States,” Ratas noted.

“The attack of Putin’s regime against Ukraine is an extremely serious violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of another state as well as of the principles of international law,” Ratas said to his Spanish counterpart. “It threatens international peace and security. Ukraine is fighting not only for its state, but for the democracy and freedom of Europe and for the European values.”

Ratas assured that Estonia would continue to provide military, political, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. “Ukraine has shown extraordinary unity in fighting against Russia’s extensive military aggression,” Ratas said. “As allies, we have to continue supporting Ukraine. In the current situation, it is not possible to have any kind of dialogue with the aggressor.”

According to Ratas, it is important to tighten the sanctions and other measures against Russia to make the war in Ukraine as costly as possible. “Therefore, it is necessary to add more oligarchs and people responsible for the aggression in the list of sanctions, to cut Russia off from SWIFT network and to restrict their transactions in euros,” he pointed out. “The sanctions are necessary, even if they have a high price also for us.”

Ratas added that the allies must together do all they can in order to, on the one hand, to expel Russia from international organisations and assemblies and, on the other hand, to support Ukraine in its application for the EU and NATO membership. In his opinion, it is understandable that there can be no rapid accession process of Ukraine to the European Union. “The principles of the European Union enlargement policy remain valid, but at present our strong political message of support is crucial for the Ukrainians,” he said. “They need our support now more than ever before.”

At the video meeting, Ratas gave his Spanish counterpart an outline of Estonia’s activities in receiving war refugees. Both Speakers mutually reaffirmed the excellent relations between Estonia and Spain and discussed opportunities for cooperation in the development of cybersecurity and digital projects.

The President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain said that the Ukrainians were fighting for their freedom, but also for the European values, human rights and the international law. She acknowledged Ukraine’s neighbouring countries that bear a greater burden in assisting war refugees.

Photos of the meeting Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

A Bill amending the Consumer Protection Act passed the second reading in the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill that will increase consumers’ trust and confidence when concluding transactions online and update the rules on commercial practices.

The purpose of the Bill on Amendments to the Consumer Protection Act (424 SE), initiated by the Government, is to increase consumers’ trust and confidence when concluding transactions online, as well as to update the regulation of unfair commercial practices in view of new technologies and digital opportunities in offering both goods and services.

The Bill will also enhance the sanctions for violation of the legal provisions established to protect consumer rights in order to ensure equal competition opportunities in the market. The new penalty rates and the increasing of the current penalty rates will concern infringements relating to the provision of mandatory information to the consumer when offering goods or services and the use of unfair commercial practices, including the requirements set out for informing about discounts as well as other requirements laid down in the Law of Obligations Act to protect consumer rights.

For example, it will be prohibited to resell tickets to events that are acquired with the help of software solutions enabling automated purchases, ignoring the conditions for purchasing the tickets. Such activity restricts consumers’ access to cultural and sports events, because tickets are resold at a much higher price than the original price. It will also be prohibited to state or create an impression that the reviews published about products or services have been submitted by consumers who have purchased or used them where the trader has not taken reasonable steps to check that. The Bill will transpose into Estonian law the relevant EU directive as regards the better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules.

Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

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

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu adopted a communication regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Today, the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) passed with 90 votes in favour the Communication of the Riigikogu of the Republic of Estonia to the Parliaments of the Member States of the European Union and NATO, as well as to the Parliaments of other countries regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

“The Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) expresses its support to the defenders and the people of the state of Ukraine in their fight against the Russian Federation that has launched a criminal war, and calls on showing absolute support to Ukraine in its war for maintaining its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Riigikogu underlines that the Russian Federation’s unprovoked aggression and military activities constitute a crime against peace with no statute of limitations, and that all war crimes that have been committed will have to be punished.

The Riigikogu asks the UN member states to take immediate steps to establish a no-fly zone in order to prevent massive civilian casualties in Ukraine.

The Riigikogu urges all national parliaments to adopt statements that call on their governments to support the imposition of additional sanctions against the Russian Federation as well as the Republic of Belarus that participates in the aggression.

The Riigikogu calls for the immediate imposition of a comprehensive trade embargo on the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, which would restrict the capability of the aggressor states to wage war.

The Riigikogu calls on states to close their airspace and ports to the aircraft and ships of the Russian Federation.

The Riigikogu calls on the members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to vote for excluding the Russian Federation from the membership of the Council of Europe, and calls on the member states to adopt a relevant decision immediately.

The Riigikogu invites the membership states to support Ukraine’s official application for the status of a EU candidate state and calls on granting Ukraine a roadmap towards membership of NATO.”

Text of the Communication in Estonian

Text of the Communication in Ukrainian

Text of the Communication in Russian

Text of the Communication in English

Source: Parliament of Estonia

PACE discusses expelling Russia from the Council of Europe

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

The Estonian delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is taking part today and tomorrow in the work of the extraordinary plenary session of the Assembly in Strasbourg, France. The agenda includes a vote on the expulsion of Russia from the organisation.

According to the Head of the Estonian delegation to PACE Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, Estonia is actively cooperating with our Nordic and Baltic colleagues (NB8) to expel Russia from the Council of Europe.

Jufereva-Skuratovski said that now that Russia was waging a large-scale war against Ukraine which kills and injures civilians and children, all delegates to the PACE must stand united and support the expulsion of the aggressor from this value-based organisation. “There is no justification for the regime which has caused the biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the 21st century, whose aftermath Europe will have to deal with for decades to come,” she stated.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will speak to the delegates today at 1 p.m. The discussion can be followed on the PACE web page: https://pace.coe.int/en/pages/session-20220314

If the PACE supports expelling Russia from the Council of Europe by a two thirds majority, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will decide in the next few days whether to request Russia to leave the Council of Europe or not.

Members of the Estonian delegation to the PACE Eerik-Niiles Kross and Raivo Tamm will also take part in the extraordinary plenary session of the PACE.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Riigikogu delegation attends the Plenary Session of the Conference on the Future of Europe

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Members of the European Union Affairs Committee Riina Sikkut and Anti Poolamets are taking part in the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is held today and tomorrow in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Chairman of the Committee Siim Kallas and member Oudekki Loone are attending remotely.

This afternoon, discussions will take place in Working Groups (WG). Anti Poolamets is taking part in the WG on European democracy and Riina Sikkut in the WG on Digital transformation, which she is chairing together with Finnish MP Elina Valtonen. Oudekki Loone is taking part in the WG on Migration, and Siim Kallas in the WG on A stronger economy. The Working Groups are embarking on a new stage in their work where the recommendations of the citizens’ panels are being examined with a view of formulating these into proposals to be presented to the Plenary Assembly.

This will be followed today and tomorrow by five Plenary Sessions whose agendas are titled youth, education and culture; EU in the world; stronger economy, social justice and jobs; digital transformation; and migration.

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a citizens-led series of debates and discussions that enable people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape our common future. This takes place on a multilingual digital platform where every European citizen can share their ideas through national as well as European citizens’ panels.

The conclusions of the discussions are explored at the Plenary Session of the Conference. The Conference as a public forum offers an opportunity to engage in an open, inclusive, and transparent discussion with the citizens on a variety of priorities and problems.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Local governments received an overview of assistance to Ukrainian war refugees

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

In today’s webinar, more than 400 local government representatives received an outline of the state’s activities in organising the reception of Ukrainian war refugees, and were given answers to questions that have arisen so far. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities. The webinar can be viewed here.

“The state, together with local governments, has established primary reception points where people can receive emotional support, information about their opportunities in Estonia and register. We’re also providing accommodation for those who have no friends or relatives in Estonia,” said Kaisa Üprus-Tali, Head of Crisis Assistance at the Social Insurance Board. “We’re grateful for the local governments who have already been active and helped provide necessary assistance to the families who have escaped the war. In addition to non-governmental organisations, local governments will be an important partner to the state in the coming months to assimilate people who have arrived from Ukraine into the community.”

During the webinar, the municipalities asked practical questions regarding the employment of refugees, health services and organisational issues related to the establishment of the daily lives of Ukrainian war refugees.

Jan Trei, Deputy Director of the Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities, confirmed that local governments are willing to assist the state in helping Ukrainian war refugees. “We must show the solidarity and readiness of both the state and local governments to help Ukrainians and provide all possible assistance and humanitarian aid. As the crisis is new for both, it’s important that the state provides practical information and guidelines to local governments. Based on this, we held today’s information day and plan to hold future such meetings also,” explained Jan Trei.

Across the European Union (including Estonia), people fleeing the war in Ukraine have been granted temporary protection, and from March 9, refugees can apply for a residence permit in Estonia in one day. This permit extends many state and local government services and benefits to war refugees, from labour market services provided by the Unemployment Insurance Fund and family benefits paid by the Social Insurance Board, to social assistance and subsistence benefits provided by local governments. Children are also guaranteed access to education, which is also provided by local governments.

In addition to Kaisa Üprus-Tali, Undersecretary for Rescue, Emergency Services and Crisis Management, Viola Murd, Undersecretary for General Education and Youth Policy of the Ministry of Education and Research, Liina Murd, Head of the Jobseeker’s and Employers’ Services Department of the Unemployment Insurance Fund, Katrin Liivamets, Undersecretary of Cultural Diversity of the Ministry of Culture Piret Hartman and Head of the Tallinn Social and Health Care Board, Raimo Saadi, spoke at the information day. The day was opened by Hanna Vseviov, Undersecretary of Social Affairs of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Additional information:

Source: Ministry of Social Affairs – Republic of Estonia

Ratas discussed supporting of Ukraine with British MPs  

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

At the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas with Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, Leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer and Shadow Secretary of State for Defence of the UK John Healey, assistance to Ukraine that is fighting against Russia’s aggression, and the helping of war refugees were discussed.

Ratas underlined that Estonia and the United Kingdom had close and strong relations that had lasted for a long time. He thanked the UK for their contribution to Baltic air policing. “At present, we have to act with greater unity to help Ukraine,” Ratas said. “The world has changed a lot in a short time, and several countries have also made historical decisions in granting military aid to Ukraine and in enforcing sanctions.”  

Speaking of the contacts with the members of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine and of what other countries could do to help Ukraine, Ratas emphasised the need to establish a no-fly zone urged by the Ukrainians. 

Both Ratas and the British MPs stated that Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine would have a significant impact on the whole Europe. In this context, energy security and cyber defence were discussed in greater detail at the meeting.

The President of the Riigikogu noted that the events in Ukraine directly concerned many people in Estonia and their close ones and acquaintances. “It is important that all people, regardless of their nationality or mother tongue, stay calm and stand together – as a society and as a nation,” he added.

Ratas said that Estonia supported Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and helped Ukraine bilaterally as well as through NATO, the European Union and international cooperation. The Estonian people and companies support the Ukrainian war refugees. “The war refugees from Ukraine are fleeing the evil of Putin’s regime,” Ratas pointed out. “It is important to provide the Ukrainian war refugees shelter and a safe place to stay until they will be able to return home.”

Members of the Riigikogu Lauri Läänemets and Eduard Odinets also attended the meeting with the British MPs.

Photos of the meeting Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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