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Riigikogu

In order to conduct international relations, the Riigikogu forms delegations. The mandate of a delegation lasts for four years, i.e. as long as the mandate of the Riigikogu. Draft resolutions for forming delegations are presented by the Foreign Affairs Committee, to whom delegations present a report on their activities at least once a year.

Members of delegations

Members of delegations and, if necessary, also alternate members are appointed by a Resolution of the Riigikogu. Proposals on whom to appoint to a delegation are made to the Foreign Affairs Committee by the parliamentary groups of the Riigikogu. These proposals are made on the basis of the parliamentary group members’ professional training, language skills and willingness to fulfil the duties of a member of a delegation. In order to preserve the consistency of international relations, it is also important whether a member of a parliamentary group has belonged to a specific delegation before.

Work in delegations

Each delegation has a specific role that is determined by the international organisation it belongs to. For example, the parliaments of every Baltic state appoint 12–20 of their members to the Baltic Assembly.

Every member of the Baltic Assembly works in one of its six committees:

Opening of the 33rd session of the Baltic Assembly, Riigikogu Session Hall, 2014

Is a delegation always necessary?

The Riigikogu takes part in the work certain parliamentary organisations without forming a delegation. For example, the Estonian group in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) consists of all the members of the Riigikogu. They elect the heads of the Estonian IPU group: the president and two vice-presidents. The members of the Riigikogu who are to take part in IPU events (assemblies, conferences, etc.) are appointed on a case-by-case basis. This is done with respect to the balance of political views, the representation of genders and the agenda of the event.

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Last updated: 01.04.2023

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