The Riigikogu passed five Acts and a Resolution:

The Riigikogu passed with 56 votes in favour (5 votes against) the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Extension of the Use of the Estonian Defence Forces Units in Performance of International Duties of the Estonian State under the International Security Assistance Mission in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq (609 OE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act provides for the extension of the term of the use of the Estonian Defence Forces Units with a staff of up to 40 members of the Defence Forces in the post-conflict security restoration mission led by the United States of America and international coalition forces in the membership of multinational armed forces from 20 June 2005 to 31 December 2005. If the UN Security Council passes a resolution, according to which the mandate of the coalition forces will be extended, the Riigikogu will reconsider the final term of the Estonian Defence Forces? participation in the mission.

The Riigikogu passed with 71 votes in favour (6 votes against) the Code of Civil Procedure (208 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which regulates judicial proceedings in civil matters in actions as well as in proceedings on petition, in all three instances of the court, it also regulates the proceedings of arbitration. The Act makes judicial proceedings more effective, economic and more transparent from the point of view of participants in legislative proceedings, enhances the confidence of the citizenry in the current legal order and in the system of administration of justice. The Act reduces useless disputes concerning procedural law, e.g. imposes restrictions on the right of submitting appeals against a ruling ? appeals against court ruling (there is a new notion in the Act ? appeal against court ruling). The Code gives also the right to file an action electronically ? by e-mail.

The Riigikogu passed with 71 votes in favour the Code of Enforcement Procedure (143 SE), which creates a new, systematic regulation of execution proceeding instead of the Code of Enforcement Procedure, passed in 1993 and several times amended. The regulation corresponds to the principles of the rule of law ? on the one hand it provides necessary protection to debtors and, on the other hand, it provides claimants with an effective system, with the help of which to pay up the claims. The Code stipulates the rights and obligations of debtors, claimants and bailiffs and the procedure for taking enforcement action.

The Riigikogu passed with 77 votes in favour the Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act, Social Tax Act and Taxation Act and to Other Acts Arising Therefrom (596 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which makes amendments to three Acts. Provisions of mostly technical character were added to the Income Tax Act, with a view to ensure the conformity of the Act to the latest amendments of the EU Directive regulating the taxation of dividends and licence fees. A provision concerning state guarantees to health and pension insurance of the spouses of the persons serving in the structural units of international defence organisations was added to the Social Tax Act. The Taxation Act Amendment Act specifies the Act and solves the problems encountered in the implementation of it and adjusts the misinterpretations of the Act?s text.

The Riigikogu passed with 72 votes in favour the Population Register Act Amendment Act (485 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The purpose of the amendments to the Population Register Act which concern the improvement of the quality of the data on the place of residence, is to ensure that every person has her/his address in the Population Register, and this address corresponds to the reality as much as possible. It is necessary for the state and for local governments in order to be able to plan services offered to the people and to contact persons for discharging of public functions. The notification of the necessary data is also in the interests of the individuals themselves in order to communicate with the state and local government agencies. It ensures the exercise of the rights by citizens and simplifies the fulfilment of obligations.

The Riigikogu passed with 59 votes in favour (1 abstention) the Local Government Council Election Act Amendment Act (457 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Andres Herkel, Peeter Kreitzberg and Eiki Nestor. The Act establishes that in local governments with a population of more than 300,000 residents, councils of no less than sixty-three members should be formed.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of two Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Victim Support Act and to the Prosecutor’s Office Act (564 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Border Guard Act (555 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of four Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Universities Act and Institutions of Professional Higher Education Act (616 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act and State Fees Act (617 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on the Ratification of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (610 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to Public Water Supply and Sewerage Act (615 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

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At Question Time Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions about the foreign policy of Estonia, the financial matters of the state, the sugar fine and the last working week of the Prime Minister, Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan answered the question about the implementation of the Waste Act and Minister of Regional Affairs Jaan Õunapuu answered the question about the activities of the Minister of Regional Affairs.

The Riigikogu Press Service