The Riigikogu passed three Resolutions

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Amendment of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania Interparliamentary Assembly”” (369 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, was passed with 68 votes in favour (6 abstentions).

The head of the delegation Helir-Valdor Seeder was excluded from the delegation, and Aadu Must was appointed the head of the delegation, and Johannes Kert was appointed the deputy head of the delegation. With the Resolution, Toomas Kivimägi, Mihhail Korb and Heljo Pikhof were excluded from the delegation, and Uno Kaskpeit, Helmen Kütt and Erki Savisaar were appointed as members of the delegation.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Amendment of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization”” (370 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, was passed with 67 votes in favour (2 abstentions).

Member of the delegation Kadri Simson and substitute member Sven Mikser were excluded from the delegation, and Kerstin-Oudekki Loone and Ants Laaneots were appointed as members of the delegation, and Hannes Hanso was appointed as a substitute member of the delegation. Marko Mihkelson became the head of the delegation.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Amendment of the Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Estonian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe”” (371 OE), submitted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, was passed with 68 votes in favour (1 abstention).

Member of the delegation Mailis Reps was excluded from the delegation, and Andrei Novikov was appointed as a member of the delegation.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of a draft Resolution on the formation of a study committee

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu “Formation of the Riigikogu Study Committee to Solve the Demographic Crisis” (367 OE), submitted by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, the Social Democratic Party Faction and the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union Faction.

The task of the study committee would be to analyse and propose measures for the preservation of the Estonian people, language and culture. Also, to study the current state of the fundamentals of national policies, sectoral development plans, development plans for areas of government and programmes relating to population, and to make proposals to improve the situation. According to the draft Resolution, it is necessary to study the population policies and experiences of other countries and, on the basis of that, to make proposals to amend our policies, as well as to involve the interest groups related to population policy. The membership of the Committee would include six members of the Riigikogu and six substitute members from each faction.

Representatives of factions who took the floor during the debate analysed circumstances relating to the tasks of the study committee.

Representative of the Reform Party Faction Jürgen Ligi thinks that there is no need for a select committee to solve demographic problems. The resolution of the demographic crisis is connected first of all with improving life in Estonia which will create a precondition for the solution of demographic problems. Representative of the Centre Party Faction Peeter Ernits said that the select committee should pay attention to the preservation of the Estonian language and culture through the years. If only for this, it would be an important committee. In view of the importance of the issue, Ernits called it a “preamble committee” the activities of which must be regarded with a great sense of responsibility.

Representative of the Free Party Faction Jüri Adams thinks that there is no need to increase the number of the Riigikogu committees. There is no direct significant connection as to why these problems could not be solved in any other way.

Representative of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction Henn Põlluaas said that it would be a significant and important committee for finding competent solutions to solve the demographic crisis. In his opinion, such a committee should have been formed already earlier. Negative birth rate and emigration are the keywords that force us to take action.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian):

Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu

(NB! The recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal,
6316351, 51902837
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]