The Riigikogu heard the replies to three interpellations.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas replied to the interpellation concerning higher education funding (No 112), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Helir-Valdor Seeder, Mihhail Lotman, Heiki Hepner, Priit Sibul, Andres Metsoja, Üllar Saaremäe, Urmas Reinsalu, Sven Sester, Aivar Kokk, and Tarmo Kruusimäe.
The interpellators pointed out that a significant part of university funding depended on the management agreements signed with the state. These agreements should be signed during the first quarter of this year, but the decisions on higher education funding in the upcoming years would be made later in the year during the debate on the state budget strategy.
The interpellators asked why the government had done nothing to avoid the situation where uncertainty rules as the agreements expire.
Kallas explained that the management agreements set out the main obligations of the universities for the term of the agreement as well as the conditions for allocating funds from the state budget to meet these. The agreements for 2019–2021 obligated the Ministry to allocate activity support to the universities every calendar month in 2022 in the amount of one twelfth of the volume of activity support in the previous year, i.e. equal to the total volume of the previous year, until the 2022–2024 management agreements and the 2022 financial agreements are signed. “Universities can continue to fulfil their duties under the law with the funds allocated to them, but they have refused to assume additional duties without additional funds,” Kallas said.
Prime Minister emphasised the importance of higher education. Since 2013, with the exception of 2017, the activity support for higher education has grown from the previous year. While in 2017 the activity support for universities amounted to EUR 141.1 million, in 2022 it is EUR 165 million. This is complemented by additional targeted grants, for example to support regional studies, create extra student places in educational sciences and health care, and provide investment support.
Prime Minister promised that the government would take the options for increasing funding for higher education into account when proceeding the 2023–2026 budget strategy.
Kallas expressed the need to keep the spotlight on increasing higher education funding because without a high quality and sufficiently comprehensive higher education it is impossible to make our society more knowledge intensive. “In order to ensure the sustainability of higher education in Estonia, we need to continue the discussion on higher education funding with our sights on the longer perspective,” Prime Minister stressed.
She added that when considering the responsibility of the state and private individuals in covering the costs of higher education, we would need to take into account the impact of these choices on the access to higher education, motivation of students in enrolling into higher education, covering the labour needs in Estonia, as well as the personal rewards related to acquiring a higher education in the context of socio-cultural benefits. “I can personally confirm that we will keep the one percent of the GDP that is earmarked for research and development,” Kallas affirmed.
Prime Minister also replied to the interpellation concerning the Whistleblower Protection Bill (No. 114).
Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna replied to the interpellation concerning elimination of basic school final exams threshold (No. 118).
During the open microphone, Kalle Grünthal (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Jaak Juske (Social Democratic Party), Riina Sikkut (Social Democratic Party) and Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.
Today, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas held a video meeting with Speaker of the Eduskunta (Parliament of Finland) Matti Vanhanen. They spoke about the complicated security situation in Europe, which has been caused by Russia’s aggressive actions.
Ratas and Vanhanen agreed that the speech made by the President of Russia yesterday was contrary to international law, and that such a statement was bound to be followed by sanctions.
Ratas briefed his Finnish counterpart about his recent visit to Ukraine and said that Ukraine was very grateful for political, economic, and military support.
“The situation is very tense at the borders of Ukraine, and we need to give our full support to that country. Estonia is committed to continue to support Ukraine in all these fields,” Ratas emphasised. “They need international attention and support now more than ever.”
Ratas pointed out that President of Estonia Alar Karis was on a visit to Kyiv today to express support to Ukraine. Ratas added that the Riigikogu had adopted a resolution supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ratas underlined that it was very important to be united on the swift response in case of Russia’s further aggression. “The European Union and NATO have been expressing exemplary unity on this,” Ratas said, and expressed hope that this unity would become even stronger.
Ratas congratulated Vanhanen on his re-election and wished him strength and luck in leading the Parliament. He also congratulated Finland and the Finnish hockey team on their Olympic gold medal.
The bilateral good-neighbourly relations and cooperation between Estonia and Finland were also discussed at the video conference. Ratas and Vanhanen also exchanged information on the current situation with the spread of the coronavirus and the organisation of work of parliaments during the pandemic.
Photos(Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
At its today’s sitting, the Riigikogu decided to appoint Ivi Proosi as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia.
The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Appointment of a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia” (528 OE), submitted by the Finance Committee, provides for the appointment of Ivi Proos as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia. The draft Resolution was submitted because the mandate of Kaie Kerem, a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia who was a specialist in the field, terminated prematurely due to her death. On 18 January, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia made the proposal to the Finance Committee to appoint Ivi Proos as a member of the Supervisory Board.
The Supervisory Board of the Bank of Estonia is the oversight body of the Bank of Estonia and it consists of a Chairman, representatives of the political groups of the Riigikogu and specialists of the field. The principle to govern the forming of the Supervisory Board is that each faction of the Riigikogu nominates one of its members and the Chairman of the Board nominates four specialists of the field. Under the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank) Act, the members of the Supervisory Board are appointed by the Riigikogu at the proposal of the Finance Committee.
61 members of the Riigikogu were in favour of passing the Resolution and 13 voted against.
One Billpassed the second reading
The Bill on Amendments to the Road Transport Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (490 SE), initiated by the Government, will bring the Road Transport Act, the Working Conditions of Employees Posted to Estonia Act and other Acts into conformity with the directives and directly applicable regulations of the European Union road package. The aim of the road package is to ensure adequate working conditions and social protection for drivers and the conditions for fair competition for road transport operators.
In international road transport for hire or reward, motor vehicles and combinations of vehicles with a permissible laden mass exceeding 2.5 tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes will also be subject to Community licence requirement. In order to obtain a licence, the carrier has to have, among other things, a transport manager who has completed the necessary training and is responsible for the road transport activities organised at the carrier.
For the transposition of the directive, it will be necessary to establish implementing provisions extending the requirements of the Posted Workers Directive to the road transport sector. Therefore, in the future, drivers engaged in road transport in other countries will have to be paid remuneration at least in the amount of the minimum remuneration in the country where the posting takes place, including overtime remuneration, etc. This will apply in cases when, by agreement of the parties, remuneration is paid in the minimum amount, and the minimum remuneration in the country where the posting takes place is higher than the minimum remuneration in the driver’s home country.
During the debate, Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) and Sven Sester (Isamaa) took the floor.
Two Bills were dropped from legislative proceedings
The Bill on Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act (496 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa, provides for the VAT on gas, electricity and thermal energy to be reduced to nine per cent in order to thereby reduce the impact of the price hike on Estonian consumers and businesses.
During the debate, Aivar Kokk (Isamaa), Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party) and Jürgen Ligi (Reform Party) took the floor.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 42 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 27 voted against. Thus, the motion was supported and the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.
The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Organisation Act (498 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa, provides that, in the future, the previous municipal council will determine the salaries and compensations to be paid to rural municipality mayors and city mayors, salaried city government members and chairmen and deputy chairmen of municipal councils.
During the debate, Toomas Kivimägi (Reform Party) and Heiki Hepner (Isamaa) took the floor.
The lead committee moved to reject the Bill at the first reading. 53 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.
The Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the European Parliament and the Parliaments of the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the United Kingdom made a Joint Statement on the unjustified Russian military build-up in and around Ukraine and in Belarus.
Statement:
We, the Chairs of our respective parliament’s Committees,
Following the ongoing Russian military build-up closely at the Russian-Ukrainian border, in the illegally annexed Crimea, as well as the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus,
Call on Russia to de-escalate the situation, withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s border and the territory of Belarus;
Recall that any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe costs in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners;
Urge Russia not to recognize the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities as it would be a blatant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;
Call on Belarus to ensure full transparency of the joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus, “Union Resolve 2022”, concerning the strength and composition of military forces, primary weapon and military equipment systems and the timeline of return of forces to home basis;
Urge Russia and Belarus to ensure compliance of their political and military commitments with the principles of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
At the meeting of President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Jüri Ratas and members of the Riigikogu with Adam Smith, Chair of the United States House Committee on Armed Services, the security crisis around Russia and Ukraine and the strengthening of bilateral transatlantic relations were discussed.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, and Chair Enn Eesmaa and Deputy Chair Leo Kunnas of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu also participated in the meeting.
Ratas underlined that the relations between Estonia and the US had been closer than ever in recent months, and unfortunately, the ongoing security crisis is at the heart of these relations. “We highly appreciate the security and defence cooperation between Estonia and the United States, and we attach great importance to the USA’s active participation in and continuing contribution to the military defence of our region,” Ratas said. “We are very grateful for the security assistance and the presence of the US troops in the Baltic States. It is very important for us.” Ratas added that the US had taken the initiative among the Western states in leading the like-minded countries in a united and determined stand against Russia’s aggressive and belligerent behaviour.
Participants in the meeting noted that Russia’s military escalation in Ukraine continued and that Russia’s military footprint was consolidating in Belarus. Mihkelson considered it possible that the ongoing chapter in Ukraine was just a part of Russia’s attempt to reshape the European security architecture. “Russia’s permanent military presence in Belarus would be a threat to the Baltic States as the military misbalance in our region deteriorates then even further,” Mihkelson said. “This means that we need to enhance the deterrence and defence posture on the NATO eastern flank. The Narva River is the eastern border of both the European Union and NATO.”
Mihkelson said that the US military presence and its significant reinforcement in Europe were essential for deterring Russia. “We welcome the introduction of additional measures by the US and increased presence in the Baltic region,” he said.
Mihkelson underlined that the politicians and diplomats of the Western countries were doing their best to prevent the worst-case scenario. This has been confirmed on the visits of the members of the Riigikogu and in their active communication with the politicians of other countries. “At the same time, we have to keep supporting Ukraine politically, financially and militarily,” Mihkelson said. “Ukraine is under enormous pressure. Joint efforts are needed to support Ukraine to stand against the pressure of the aggressor.”
Considering the changed security situation, the members of the Riigikogu asked the US Congress to maintain the security assistance funding to the Baltic States on the same level as last year, or even increase it. “This helps us to develop our defence capabilities sooner,” Eesmaa explained. “Estonia in its turn will do its share and increase its defence expenditure to 2.6 percent of GDP by 2024.” In Eesmaa’s opinion, it is important to note that in national defence issues, the parties of the government coalition and the opposition in the Riigikogu are of the same mind.
Eesmaa agreed with other speakers that NATO’s presence in the region was vital, and added that recently also Finland and Sweden had shown interest in having closer cooperation with NATO.
Besides security policy issues, bilateral cyber defence cooperation and possible further cooperation in the construction of a LNG terminal.
Missiles of anti-tank weapon system Javelin, donated by the Estonian Defence Forces, arrived in Ukraine today.
„This is a small step by Estonia in support of Ukraine, but it is a real and tangible contribution to defence against Russian aggression,“ said Lieutenant General Martin Herem, Commander of Estonian Defence Forces. „At the moment, these missiles are more useful for Estonia’s security in defence of Ukraine rather than at a live fire exercise on an Estonian training area.“
„Our Estonian friends have sent us highly needed and effective modern Javelin anti-tank missiles. I am really grateful to the people, Government and Ambassador of Estonia to Ukraine for the steadfast support in such difficult times,“ said Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Volodymyr Havrylov. „Donated equipment will be immediately handed over to our troops on the field.“
„The security situation at Ukraine’s border today requires comprehensive practical assistance; words alone are clearly no longer enough. Weapon aid in the form of Javelin missile systems has reached the Ukrainians. We have made quick and timely decision to support Ukraine, which today maintains a European front line that separates us from the war,“ Minister of Defence of Estonia, Kalle Laanet said. According to Laanet the step of Estonia and other Baltic countries to support Ukraine with arms has a significant impact the defensive will of the Ukrainian´s. „In difficult situations, it is always important to keep the initiative, which we have certainly taken by sending weapons assistance,“ Laanet added.
Missiles of Javelin weapon system, donated to Ukraine, were acquired from the USA. Under the terms of the contract, donation of missiles required consent of the United States, which was received.
Javelin shoulder-operated portable medium-range anti-tank missile system operates on a so-called shoot-and-forget method, which means that after launching the missile automatically guides itself to the target and allows the shooter to take cover.
Javelin missiles are capable of hitting the target directly and from above. Its effective range is around two kilometres. Javelins are in the armament of Estonian Defence Forces since 2015.
Javelin missile system has been used by the United States and many other countries since the mid-1990s and has been used successfully in Iraq in 2003 against armoured vehicles and later in the fight against Afghan insurgents.
At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the Bill that will transpose the relevant Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the amendments made in respect of common rules for the internal market in electricity.
The amendments to the Bill on Amendments to the Electricity Market Act and Other Acts (426 SE), initiated by the Government, will increase opportunities for distributed generation through a regulation concerning active users of network services. This will give consumers an opportunity to participate more actively in the electricity market and to benefit in particular from changing their consumption habits. The Bill also provides for a regulation relating to the creation, development and management of energy communities, as well as a regulation concerning aggregation and demand response, in order to increase the flexibility of networks, and energy efficiency for consumers. An obligation to procure flexibility mechanisms from the market through tendering procedures will be provided for for network operators. The Bill also sets requirements for network operators to develop market-based charging networks for electric vehicles.
The Bill will also make amendments to the Electricity Market Act and the Natural Gas Act that will enable fixed price contracts for a specified term on more favourable conditions for consumers. The Government, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications as well as market participants have pointed out the need to increase the flexibility of the contracts among various measures to mitigate the energy price crisis. In connection with the amendments, the provisions in the Law of Obligations Act will also be amended in the interests of clarity.
During the debate, Sven Sester (Isamaa), Siim Kallas (Reform Party), Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa), Jüri Jaanson (Reform Party), Heiki Hepner (Isamaa) and Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.
The Faction Isamaa moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill. 19 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 46 voted against. Thus, the motion was not supported and the second reading of the Bill was concluded.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson together with the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of Latvia and Lithuania is on a visit to Rome, Italy. The meetings held there highlight the importance of the unity of allies in the complicated security situation of today.
Mihkelson underlined that, in the current situation, it was very important to communicate with your allies. “The unity of the West, especially the NATO countries, holds particular significance in the current situation,” Mihkelson said.
Mihkelson pointed out that Italy had always been an excellent partner who had contributed to the Baltic Air Policing. “We are very grateful to them for this strong support,” Mihkelson emphasised.
Today, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Baltic parliaments will participate in a joint meeting with the Foreign and European Affairs Committee and the Defence Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies.
The Baltic delegation will also visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy and have a meeting with Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali (Institute of International Affairs).
Today, the Riigikogu discussed foreign policy as a matter of significant national importance, with focus on the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets admitted that in light of the developments of recent days, an imminent attack against Ukraine cannot be ruled out. “This means we need to deal with these threats and stand up for Estonia and the entire democratic space of values. In this situation, Estonia must be completely prepared to deal with the consequences of the crisis,“ said Liimets.
The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine have been blatantly violated. The country has faced years of political, economic and military pressure and this has escalated into a stand-off that affects all of Europe.
“Our support for Ukraine in enacting political, economic and military reforms goes beyond words,“ the Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed. She explained that Estonia is supplying defence equipment, investing in cybersecurity and digital systems, offering diplomatic support to Ukraine’s efforts, and also providing humanitarian and development assistance through increased cooperation and supporting them politically in NATO, the EU, the OSCE and the UN. “We are doing all this to make sure Ukraine is a free, sovereign and democratic European country,“ Liimets stressed.
Minister of Foreign Affairs said that in the geopolitical stand-off unfolding in Europe and posing a direct threat to us, Russia is trying to meet three objectives at the same time. First of these is to stop democracy from taking hold in Ukraine and the country’s continued integration with Europe, to use this conflict to restore spheres of influence in Europe and ensure that NATO led by the United States gives up its military presence in this imagined Russian sphere of influence. “These wishes were presented by the leadership of our neighbour in the form of an ultimatum demanding security guarantees,“ Liimets remarked. According to her we have responded to the ultimatum with a joint response that there can be no bargaining over Europe’s security and international law and the policy of spheres of influence has no place in Europe today.
In the current tense security situation, the West and Estonia cannot afford any strategic lethargy, confusion or dithering. “We must be prepared for a continued and prolonged crisis and escalating confrontation, where diplomacy has weight thanks to credible deterrence not acquiescence,“ she said. “Only the resolve of the West, including boosting the defence capabilities of NATO’s Eastern Flank, efficient work on the sanctions package and comprehensive assistance to Ukraine help prevent a further escalation of the situation.“
Reinforcing transatlantic cooperation and cohesion is an important pillar of our foreign policy. We must be prepared for Moscow testing the unity of NATO in one way or another. “This is why we are constantly working on increasing Allied presence in Estonia and boosting defence and political cooperation among the Baltic States,” Liimets said. “All this is a precondition for making sure the opponent does not make a miscalculation about how collective defence works. NATO’s deterrence and defence measures are strengthened in line with Russia’s military positioning and the arrival of additional forces from the United Kingdom is a good example of that.“
Liimets emphasised that security begins at home. In 2022, the defence spending rises to 2.3% of the GDP, that is, €748 million, and the government has decided to allocate an additional €380 million for national defence for the upcoming years in light of the current security situation.
Like other allies, Estonia always supports dialogue. Diplomacy must be given a chance because it is the frontline of security. “Naturally, we are in favour of dialogue with Russia in all forums and formats created for that purpose, including bilateral,” she said, adding that Estonia’s constructive approach is also evident in our continued readiness to move forward with the border treaty.
In addition to military threats, the Minister also drew attention to the unconventional threats which have also increased in Europe. “Estonia thinks the European Union can and should support the efforts of member states in boosting their military capabilities and offer tools for increasing their resilience in face of hybrid threats,“ she said.
Liimets expressed happiness to note that last year Estonia reached an agreement on establishing e-Codex, the European Union solution for digitalising justice, in Estonia, expanding the mandate of the eu-LISA agency based in Tallinn. Tallinn was also chosen as the location for the Baltic Regional Coordination Centre of electricity systems.
Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed in particular Estonia’s experience in the UN Security Council and emphasised that the protection of human rights and advancing democracy worldwide is among the most important foreign policy activities of Estonia because it reinforces the values-based international order on which our security directly depends.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also mentioned climate diplomacy, Estonia’s increased activeness in Asia and the Pacific region, relations with China, promotion of foreign trade and economic diplomacy, but also the global Estonian diaspora action plan and consular services.
Liimets concluded by affirming that Estonia’s foreign policy is working tirelessly to ensure the protection of Estonia’s security, economy, and citizens, and maintain our security and the unity of the West of which we are an integral part.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson spoke about Estonia’s security and the unity of our allied space, as well as protecting it through Estonia’s actions in foreign policy. He spoke at length about Russia’s aggressive foreign policy in regard to the democratic West, and ways to influence Russia to end the aggression.
Mihkelson compared the enlargement of NATO and the expansion of Russia. “While the first takes place on voluntary terms and with the agreement of its members for the sake of defending democratic countries, the second shows an authoritarian nuclear power in the grip of nostalgia for its empire trying to extend its limits (of influence) through a brutal breach and self-serving interpretation of international law,” he explained.
Russian authorities are in fact fully aware that NATO is not a threat. Just like no democratic neighbouring country is a threat to Russia’s security or territorial integrity. Mihkelson believes that if Moscow has even the slightest wish to step back from the edge of the cliff, this is the last moment to do so. “Giving up threats of violence and ending the aggression against Ukraine paves the way for a functional dialogue. However, the alternative road leads to the deepening of the dangerous confrontation and the closing of a new curtain, which certainly feels like iron.“
Mihkelson encouraged letting Moscow know in no uncertain terms that this extortion tactic, which is more common in the prison environment and which Russia is currently applying as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is highly divisive for international security and as a whole erodes the principles of the UN Charter. “Absolutely no country, including the authoritarian Russia, can have the right to hegemony in Europe, nor the veto right when our security is shaped. The European security architecture has withstood the test of time well and there is no good reason to change it.“
Mihkelson sees the unity of the West, especially the NATO countries, as holding particular significance in the current situation. He interpreted the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council as showing that all 30 allies agree; however, the real strength test of unity is in actions – the readiness to stand up against Russia’s aggression, determination to defend one’s allies and support democratic partners like Ukraine.
In order to persuade Russia to end its aggression, the West needs to act right now. This mostly has to do with enhancing deterrence on the NATO eastern flank, including the Baltic states. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland should intensify their defence cooperation in the NATO framework as soon as possible, and work towards eliminating the possible legal obstacles standing in the way of military mobility. It is crucial to apply the US defence assistance as soon as possible, and increase the further financing for the Baltic Defence initiative to at least 200 million dollars a year.
Mihkelson does not see assisting Ukraine with weapons as an escalation of the events but rather as setting up a preventive deterrence. Handing over the Crimea or blocking Ukraine off from NATO, as some analysts recommend, will not prevent the spreading of war in his opinion. “We must not show Ukraine the door, but a road map on how to join the European Union and NATO” Mihkelson said. The fall of Ukraine would affect the security of the whole continent very negatively and would point the future pressure of Russia directly against NATO countries.
The Chairman of the Committee also briefed the Riigikogu on the work of the Committee over the past year, when it continued to actively monitor the foreign policy activities of the government, providing guidance to even out the emerging flaws when needed. The Foreign Affairs Committee has also been internationally active in the last year and has worked towards strengthening the unity among the closest allies and raising the awareness about the situation among the colleagues both in Europe and in the USA.
In conclusion Mihkelson warned that the coming days, weeks, months, and maybe even years will seriously test Estonia’s foreign and security policy. “There is no reason to insist that the existential threat to our security would fade away in the near future. We need to be prepared for all eventualities. For this, all of us here need to commit to what really matters – ensuring the sovereignty and security of Estonia.“
The reports were followed by questions to the speakers and comments by the representatives of factions and members of the Riigikogu. Mihhail Lotman took the floor on behalf of the Faction Isamaa, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Ruuben Kaalep on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction, Eerik-Niiles Kross on behalf of the Reform Party Faction, and Indrek Saar on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction.
Oudekki Loone (Centre Party), Peeter Ernits (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Siim Kallas (Reform party), and Paul Puustusmaa (Estonian Conservative People’s Party) also spoke.
Today, the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) will discuss foreign policy as a matter of significant national importance. The debate was initiated by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu. Reports will be made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Eva-Maria Liimets and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson.
In his report, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee will focus on the security of Estonia, the unity of our allied space and protecting it through Estonia’s foreign policy activities, including also through parliamentary diplomacy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Liimets will deliver the annual address on foreign policy to the Riigikogu. Her speech will give an overview of the main directions of Estonia’s foreign policy and Estonia’s positions.
The reports will be followed by questions to the speakers and comments by the representatives of political groups and members of the Riigikogu.