The Riigikogu passed with 60 votes in favour the Act on the Approval of the Statute of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (822 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Statute of the Conference was amended mainly in order to enable regional economic integration organizations to become also members of the Conference. Only the European Community met the requirements established to organizations. The main objective of the amendments is to enable the European Community to become a member of the Conference, because pursuant to Article 65 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, several issues included in the field of activity of the Conference belong to the competence of the Community. In addition to establishing the membership of the European Community, the competences of bodies of the Conference will also be redistributed. The General Affairs and General Policy Committee will assume more authority than before, because it unites representatives of governments of all the Member States.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of three Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Creative Persons and Creative Persons Associations Act (804 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Rescue Act, Explosive Substances Act and Working and Rest Time Act (722 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Persons Repressed by Occupying Powers Act (803 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Aliens Act and Associated Acts (829 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Forest Bill (833 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

At Question Time of the Riigikogu Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions about the problems in Ida-Virumaa, the work of the Government, the administrative capacity of the state and the rural life. Minister of Education and Research Mailis Reps answered the question about vocational education.

The Riigikogu Press Service