Prime Minister Andrus Ansip replied to the interpellation (No. 216) concerning the possible repurchase of Eesti Raudtee, submitted on 14 March by Members of the Riigikogu Henn Pärn, Sven Sester and Ants Pauls.

Prime Minister said that he did not generally regard privatisation of the railway as the way the privatisation was carried out, but the privatisation in the way it was carried out “was a mistake in my opinion”. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has presented its visions, the main issue at the moment is in the price. Prime Minister stressed that the biggest dream of the Estonian people should not be paying extra for the Russian transit. Repurchase of the railway will take place when the price is fair and when the price is acceptable for the state of Estonia and for Estonian taxpayers. In the opinion of Mr. Ansip, the first step should be taken and then it would be possible to have a discussion in the hall of the Riigikogu, about what to do with the repurchased infrastructure and operators.

Prime Minister explained that the state had to be able to establish itself on the railway through the Acts and through the efficient and independent control of the Railway Inspectorate. “Who is the owner of the railway is of second-rate importance. The state must be able to establish itself through the Acts not only in the sphere of railways, but also in all the other spheres, “Mr. Ansip stressed.

According to the Prime Minister, making the final decision concerning the repurchase is within the competence of the Riigikogu. The choice of advisers in establishing the fair price is within the competence of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

Prime Minister also replied to the interpellation (No. 215) concerning the construction of the new building of the Narva College, submitted on 14 March by Members of the Riigikogu Ants Pauls, Indrek Raudne, Juhan Parts, Henn Pärn, Mihhail Lotman, Peeter Tulviste, Urmas Reinsalu and Olav Aarna, and to the interpellation (No. 209) concerning the use of the financial resources of the European Union, submitted on 8 March by Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu, Avo Üprus, Mihhail Lotman, Ants Pauls, Sven Sester, Urmo Kööbi, Peeter Tulviste and Ken-Marti Vaher.

Minister of Internal Affairs Kalle Laanet replied to the interpellation (No. 210) concerning the use of the financial resources of the European Union, submitted on 8 March by Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu, Trivimi Velliste, Sven Sester, Ants Pauls, Taavi Veskimägi, Olari Taal, Urmo Kööbi and Ken-Marti Vaher.

Chancellor of Justice Allar Jõks replied to the interpellation (No. 207) concerning drafting of the strategy of the use of the structural funds of the European Union for the years 2007-2013, submitted on 6 March by Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu, Marko Pomerants, Olav Aarna and Ants Pauls, and to the interpellation (No. 208) concerning the freedom of expression, submitted on 6 March by Members of the Riigikogu Urmas Reinsalu, Mihhail Lotman and Ants Pauls.

Minister of Social Affairs Jaak Aab replied to the interpellation (No. 214) concerning the shortening of waiting lists of medical treatment, submitted on 13 March by Member of the Riigikogu Ela Tomson.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet replied to the interpellation (No. 222) concerning the presidential elections in Belarus, submitted on 22 March by Members of the Riigikogu Sven Mikser, Katrin Saks, Ivari Padar, Mark Soosaar, Jarno Laur, Eiki Nestor and Liina Tõnisson.

 

The Riigikogu Press Service

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