At Question Time ministers answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu.

Minister of Defence Margus Hanson answered the question of Sven Mikser about the European defence policy, the question of Trivimi Velliste about the anniversary of the Sinimäed Battles and the question of Enn Eesmaa about the prospects of the Estonian defence policy.

Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan answered the question of Ivari Padar about forestry and the question of Eiki Nestor about the Environmental Investment Centre.

Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Meelis Atonen answered the question of Helir-Valdor Seeder about energy, the question of Marika Tuus about the maximum rate of rent, the question of Arno Rossman about the formation of the County Development Centre in Ida-Virumaa and the question of Kaarel Pürg about the liquidation of former state enterprises.

The Riigikogu passed the following Acts:

With 75 votes in favour the Referendum Act, Local Government Councils Election Act, Riigikogu Election Act and European Parliament Election Act Amendment Act (206 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee. The Act extends the period of advance polls and specifies the procedure for advance polls.

With 77 votes in favour the Act on the Ratification of the Treaty between the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Hellenic Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, Ireland, the Italian Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Austria, the Portuguese Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Member States of the European Union) and the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic concerning the Accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (77 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Treaty stipulates the conditions for Estonia and other acceding states for the accession to the European Union.

With 70 votes in favour the Act on the Ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (186 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The objective of the Cartagena Protocol is to regulate the transboundary movement of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology and contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and to human health.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:

The Waste Bill (105 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Forest Act, Proceeds from the Environmental Use Act and State Fees Act (190 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The motion of the Mõõdukad Faction to suspend the second reading was not seconded. The results of voting: 7 votes in favour, 46 against.

The Bill on Amendments to the Prosecutor?s Office Act (198 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Consumer Protection Bill (14 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Lifts and Cableway Installations Safety Act (171 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu suspended the second reading of the following Bill:

The Bill on Amendments to the Law of Property Act Implementation Act, State Fees Act, Land Register Act, Commercial Associations Act, Churches and Congregations Act and the Sworn Translators Act (197 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend is 4 February, 18.00.

The Riigikogu Press Service