Mihkelson: exclusion of the Parliament from the discussion of UN migration package is unacceptable
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) wants to get an overview from Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser on the United Nations Organisation’s (UN) global compact for migration and global compact on refugees, and on Estonia’s arguments for adoption of the compact.
In the opinion of Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson, exclusion of the Riigikogu from the discussion of the UN migration package is unacceptable. “It is strange that the Government has almost totally ignored the Parliament, and has not wanted to disclose the details of such an important agreement at its own initiative,” Mihkelson said.
“Migration has shaken the whole Europe, and therefore it is very important to discuss this issue in detail. Only after hearing the arguments and after the debate, it is possible to decide whether Estonia will join the Compact or not,” Mihkelson said. “Estonia is a parliamentary country, and this debate has to be held, even if it is at the last minute.”
Therefore the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee proposed at yesterday’s sitting of the Committee that Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser should give the Committee an overview of Estonia’s positions in regard to the UN global compact for migration and global compact on refugees. Professor of International Law Lauri Mälksoo will present his expert opinion to the Committee.
It is planned to adopt the Global Compact for Migration at the intergovernmental conference in Marrakech, Morocco, on 11–12 December, and the UN General Assembly is expected to adopt it in January.
Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
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