ESTONIA

Hussar participated in the commemoration of the third anniversary of Bucha massacre in Ukraine

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
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NordenBladet —

Hussar recalled that three years ago, the photos of the town of Bucha that had been liberated from Russian invaders had shocked the whole world. “The Bucha massacre has become a symbol of the horrors of Russian aggression – a place where the greatest crime against humanity of the 21st century was committed,” he said.

On 31 March 2022, when Ukrainian forces liberated the small town of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, dozens of bodies of civilians tortured and killed by Russian invaders and mass graves with hundreds of victims were discovered. Hussar recalled that in April of that year, the Parliament of Estonia had been one of the first to declare the actions of the armed forces of the Russian Federation in the military aggression against Ukraine as a genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Hussar emphasised that Russia must be held accountable for the crime of aggression and war crimes committed in Ukraine, and that the next important step had to be initiating the process of establishing a special tribunal for the crime of aggression in the Council of Europe. He also pointed out that Russia must compensate the damages it had caused to Ukraine.

Hussar said that the last year Estonia had been the first country in Europe to pass the Act that enabled the use of the assets of persons in Russia that are frozen under international sanctions to compensate Ukraine for war damages. He noted that there were more than EUR 200 billion worth of frozen Russian assets in the European Union, which should now be used to help Ukraine.

“Putin’s objectives have not changed – he wants all of Ukraine, he wants to create a buffer zone behind Russia’s borders and ultimately he is trying to tear down the European security architecture. The outcome of this war is existential for Europe. Both Ukraine and Europe need a comprehensive, just and lasting peace that is based on international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Hussar underlined.

The commemoration ceremony was attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and the Speakers of the Parliaments of many European countries.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar participated in the commemoration of the third anniversary of Bucha massacre in Ukraine

Source: Parliament of Estonia

European Speakers demand holding Russia to account in a Joint Statement

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Speakers declared that they stood in solidarity with Ukrainian people and honoured the memory of every victim of the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha and other cities and villages across Ukraine. “We stress that there is no justification for Russia’s actions on the European continent, which constitutes the crime of aggression,” they say.

The Speakers emphasized that accountability for Russia’s actions in Ukraine was essential. They expressed their full support to the efforts of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine. They noted the arrest warrants issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber of International Criminal Court for Russian high-ranking officials, and appealed to ICC States Parties to cooperate in good faith with the ICC. The Speakers also called for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine. “Such measures are essential to ensuring accountability and deterring future attempts to commit similar crimes,” they pointed out.

According to the Speakers, the barbaric actions of Russia on the territory of Ukraine have led to the suffering and deaths of thousands of civilians, the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children and the destruction of their homes and cities. “We call for a significant increase in humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine. Supporting Ukraine’s struggle must be recognized as a moral obligation for every nation, as well as for the European Union and NATO, until peace and security in Ukraine and Europe are fully restored,” they said in the Joint Statement.

The Speakers called on the authorities of EU Member States and NATO, and all nations that share the principles of freedom, human rights and the rule of law, to impose the strongest possible sanctions and measures that would force Russia to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. They also welcomed the efforts of all nations, in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, to use Russia’s frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine and compensating for the damage caused by the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Speakers underlined that despite Russia’s ongoing illegal, unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion, Ukraine had proved that it was a reliable partner. “We reaffirm our support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration and sovereign right to determine its future and to participate in alliances of its choosing, free from external pressure or coercion. Russia can have no veto on European political and security architecture,” they said in their Joint Statement.

The Joint Statement was signed by the Speakers and the Heads of delegations of the Parliaments of Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament. The Speakers participated in the commemoration ceremony held today to mark the third anniversary of the Bucha massacre and the summit that followed it, at the invitation of Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Text of the Joint Statement in Estonian and in English

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
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karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: European Speakers demand holding Russia to account in a Joint Statement

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Mihkelson is on a joint visit of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees to Moldova

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Mihkelson describes the joint visit as a confirmation of the dedication of Nordic and Baltic countries to give strong support to Moldova and its path towards becoming a Member State of the EU. Topics of the meetings include the foreign and security policy situation in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, but also Moldova’s challenges and opportunities for support in becoming an EU Member State. Moldova became the candidate country of the Union in 2022, and accession negotiations were opened last summer.

The Chairs are meeting the President of Moldova Maia Sandu, Vice-Presidents of the Parliament Doina Ghermani and Vlad Batrîncea, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration Ina Coșeru, and representatives of several other committees in Chișinău. The Chairs are also scheduled to meet representatives of civil society organisations. They also plan to visit the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, where they will meet members of the regional People’s Assembly and the Mayor of Comrat Serghei Anastasov.

Chairs from the Foreign Affairs Committees of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland are taking part in the visit.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Mihkelson is on a joint visit of Nordic and Baltic Chairs of Foreign Affairs Committees to Moldova

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Chairman of the National Defence Committee starts with meetings at the US Congress

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Stoicescu said that he wished to discuss both the state of transatlantic relations and supporting Ukraine at his meetings with members of the Congress and representatives of the administration and think tanks. “It is important to speak with our allies and to convince them that Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine must end with a just and lasting peace, and in no other way,” he underlined.

US-Baltic security cooperation and the increasing of defence spending in NATO countries will be discussed at the meetings. Attacks on underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and other threats from Russia will also be spoken about. “Russia is a long-term threat and it is a reality we have to deal with,” Stoicescu said.

In Washington, Stoicescu will meet with several members of the House of Representatives, and participate in a round table discussion with the think tank the Atlantic Council in the Congress. He also plans to meet with Principal Director for Europe and NATO Policy Alton Buland in Pentagon.

The Chairman of the National Defence Committee will also attend the Baltic Advocacy Days organised by the Joint Baltic American National Committee, including a round table at the think tank the Hudson Institute within the framework of the event.

At the end of the week, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson will also travel to Washington. He will participate in a visit organised by the Polish think tank the Casimir Pulaski Foundation together with MPs from France, Germany and Poland.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Chairman of the National Defence Committee starts with meetings at the US Congress

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu practiced decision-making during crisis

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The tabletop exercise focused mainly on the continuation of the Riigikogu’s work in times of crisis, the urgent amendment of the state budget and the declaration of a state of emergency and a state of war.

According to President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, the Board of the Riigikogu has approved a resilience plan that will ensure the effective functioning of the Parliament and the performance of its constitutional duties even in the event of a crisis. “The simulation of different situations and enhancing cooperation between key institutions is vital from the perspective of ensuring the functioning of Estonian democracy and the effectiveness of governance,” he said.

In the opinion of State Secretary Keit Kasemets, national defence and resolving of crises must not get stuck in unclear processes, and potential obstacles and challenges must be discussed and addressed in advance. “In a crisis, every minute counts, and cooperation between the Government and the Riigikogu is of key importance. Such discussions will help increase the clarity of roles and expectations about who exactly does what in a crisis,” he said.

The Board of the Riigikogu, the Chairs of the Finance Committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee and the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu and representatives of parliamentary groups, as well as the Office of the President, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior participated in the exercise. The exercise was conducted by the National Security and Defence Coordination Unit of the Government Office and led by the President of the Riigikogu.

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu practiced decision-making during crisis

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Lauri Hussar was elected as the President of the Riigikogu, and Toomas Kivimägi and Arvo Aller were elected as the Vice-Presidents

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

99 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 51 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Lauri Hussar, and 42 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Helir-Valdor Seeder. There were six invalid ballot papers.

Lauri Hussar was elected as the President of the Riigikogu. He thanked the members of the Riigikogu for trusting him.

Martin Helme nominated Arvo Aller as a candidate for a Vice-President, Õnne Pillak nominated Toomas Kivimägi and Lauri Läänemets nominated Tanel Kiik.

97 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 52 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Toomas Kivimägi, 25 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Arvo Aller and 19 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Tanel Kiik. One ballot paper was invalid. Thus, Toomas Kivimägi was elected as the First Vice-President of the Riigikogu, and Arvo Aller was elected as the Second Vice-President.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Photos will be uploaded with a delay. Author: Erik Peinar Chancellery of the Riigikogu

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu.

(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 , 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: Lauri Hussar was elected as the President of the Riigikogu, and Toomas Kivimägi and Arvo Aller were elected as the Vice-Presidents

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu passed constitutional amendment restricting the right to vote

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu supported the motion of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu to amend the Constitution as a matter of urgency. Amending the Constitution as a matter of urgency was supported by 92 members of the Riigikogu, and 7 were against. The decision on the on the manner of amending the Constitution required a four-fifths majority of the Riigikogu, which meant that at least four times as many members of the Riigikogu attending the sitting had to vote in favour than against it.

At the final vote, 93 members of the Riigikogu submitted the passing of the Bill on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia (536 SE), initiated by 61 Members of the Riigikogu. Seven members voted against it. A two-thirds majority of the votes of the members of the Riigikogu, that is, at least 68 votes, were needed for the Bill to amend the Constitution to be passed.

Initially the Bill provided that Estonian citizens and stateless residents as well as citizens of the European Union and NATO countries would be allowed to participate in municipal council elections. As a resolution of the plenary, a motion to amend submitted by 55 members of the Riigikogu was included the Act today, according to which the right to vote in local elections will be revoked for third-country nationals residing in Estonia and, from the next elections after the coming elections, stateless persons will also not be allowed to vote in local elections.

Stateless persons will be allowed to vote at this year’s local elections. The presenters of this proposal said that it would give stateless persons sufficient time to apply for Estonian citizenship if they so wish, and to participate in the next local elections as Estonian citizens. The amendment also excluded the right to vote of the citizens of NATO countries.

Citizens of Estonia and the European Union and stateless residents will be allowed to participate in municipal council elections this year, and from the next elections onwards, only the citizens of Estonia and the EU will be able to participate in local elections.

The second motion to amend, which was submitted by 26 members of the Riigikogu, failed to receive necessary support in the plenary assembly. According to this amendment, the right to vote would have been revoked for both the third-country nationals residing in Estonia and for stateless persons starting from the local elections taking place in October this year.

Under the current law, in addition to Estonian and EU citizens, the right to participate in local elections extends also to aliens who reside in Estonia on the basis of a long-term residence permit or the permanent right of residence, who have attained 16 years of age by the election day and whose permanent place of residence is located in the corresponding rural municipality or city.

Next municipal council elections in Estonia will take place on 19 October this year.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Voting results

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu passed constitutional amendment restricting the right to vote

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Ministers took their oaths of office before the Riigikogu

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Member of the Riigikogu Toomas Järveoja also took his oath of office.

Two Bills passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Act on Protection of Persons Who Report Work-Related Breaches of European Union Law and the International Sanctions Act (Union restrictive measures directive) (584 SE), initiated by the Government, will transpose into Estonian law the European Union directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of sanctions. The same directive also amends the relevant directive so that the violation of European Union restrictive measures will be considered a predicate offence for money laundering.

Two amendments will be made to Estonian law. EU restrictive measures will be included in the list of areas of activity provided for in the Act on Protection of Persons Who Report Work-Related Breaches of European Union Law. The International Sanctions Act will also be specified by adding a clause to the effect that the provisions on whistleblower protection also extend to reporting breaches of international sanctions.

The purpose of the Bill is to establish uniform rules for determining violations of European Union restrictive measures and the penalties to be imposed for them, in order to ensure uniform application of sanctions. According to the explanatory memorandum, this will help to detect and prevent violations, supporting compliance with European Union law and the achievement of objectives.

During the debate, Mart Helme took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Ando Kiviberg on behalf of Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group.

Under the Bill on Amendments to the Emergency Act (589 SE), initiated by the Government, a provider of an essential service whose data or equipment essential for the operation of the service are located in a foreign country must ensure connection through at least two technologically different electronic communications services in order to reduce the risk of interruptions and ensure continuity of the service.

The Bill will also provide that, in the future, instead of the Information System Authority, the authority organising the continuity of an essential service will exercise supervision over the information systems of a critical entity that are located in a foreign country within the framework of supervision exercised over critical entities.

At the beginning of the sitting, the Riigikogu observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the 1949 March deportation.

After the sitting, it is planned to form the Estonia-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group on the initiative of Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
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Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Ministers took their oaths of office before the Riigikogu

Source: Parliament of Estonia

The Riigikogu discussed the payment of renewable energy subsidies to wind energy producers

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

The Riigikogu rejected at the first reading the Bill on Amendments to the Electricity Market Act (568 SE),  initiated by the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group. The aim of the bill is to end the payment of renewable energy subsidies to wind energy producers from 2026 in order to reduce the burden on consumers’ electricity bills and to direct the subsidies to promote more innovative and cost-effective renewable energy solutions.

Aleksandr Tšaplõgin from the Centre Party Group, Mart Maastik Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Rain Epler from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group and Mario Kadastik from the Reform Party Group took the floor during the debate.

45 members of the Riigikogu supported the motion of the lead committee to reject the Bill at the first reading and 17 were against it. Thus, the Bill was dropped from the legislative proceedings.

The deliberation of the interpellation concerning the security of energy supply (No. 717) was removed from the agenda for the working week by agreement with the interpellators.

Mart Helme, Vladimir Arhipov, Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart and Riina Solman took the floor during the open microphone.

The sitting ended at 5.29 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

 

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu discussed the payment of renewable energy subsidies to wind energy producers

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Hussar: Cooperation between the Baltic States is stronger than ever

By
Helena-Reet Ennet
-

NordenBladet —

Hussar said at the meeting that cooperation between the Baltic States was stronger than ever before. In his opinion, the cooperation between the three countries, as well as more broadly, with the Nordic Countries and Poland, was excellent. “This is especially important now, when we are facing various challenges in the area of security and defence, and we can see that Russia is not stopping,” he pointed out.

Hussar highlighted the need for unity, both in supporting Ukraine and in relations with the United States. He also said it was important to proceed swiftly with taking into use Russia’s frozen assets and to continue with sanctions against Russia.

During the meeting, Hussar and Paluckas discussed increasing defence spending and promoting defence cooperation, as well as economic cooperation projects, including completing the construction of Rail Baltic. They also spoke about issues relating to Russia’s shadow fleet and hybrid threats.

Chairman of the Estonia-Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Group Enn Eesmaa also attended the meeting. He said that the parliamentary cooperation between Estonia and Lithuania at the level of the Baltic Assembly and the parliamentary friendship groups was effective and good.

Paluckas is in Tallinn on a one-day working visit. He will also have meetings with President Alar Karis, Prime Minister Kristen Michal and members of the Lithuanian community.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: Hussar: Cooperation between the Baltic States is stronger than ever

Source: Parliament of Estonia

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