Riigikogu ratified social security agreement between Estonia and Ukraine
On the motion of the Finance Committee, the first reading of the Draft Resolution “Approval of the Consolidated Report of 2010 of the State” (91 OE), submitted by the Government, which had been adjourned at Tuesday’s sitting, was concluded. The aim of submitting the annual report of the state is to enable the Riigikogu to exercise its auditing function with regard to the Government, provide the Government with the opportunity to explain its activities during the accounting year, and submit the information necessary for the Riigikogu to make new resolutions regarding the budget. The consolidated annual report consists of the following parts:
1) the management report;
2) the annual accounts;
2.1) the consolidated and the unconsolidated annual accounts of the state;
2.2) additional information concerning local governments;
2.3) additional information concerning public sector and government sector.
The consolidated report includes the audit report of the National Audit Office.
The draft Resolution was sent to the second reading.
The Resolution “Increasing the Holding of the Republic of Estonia in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development” (77 OE), initiated by the Government, was passed with 56 votes in favour. With the Resolution, the Riigikogu grants its consent to increasing the holding of the Republic of Estonia in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to the extent of 900 callable shares totalling 9,000,000 euro pursuant to the conditions set out in the Resolution. The capital of the bank is increased with the aim of reacting to the increased loan needs of customers and to continue developing of the economy of customer states also in the post economic and financial crisis situation. The Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance will be authorised to perform the acts necessary for the share subscription.
The Riigikogu passed with 51 votes in favour the Act on Ratification of the Social Security Agreement between the Republic of Estonia and Ukraine (64 SE), initiated by the Government. The aim of the Agreement is to replace the current Agreement which was concluded over ten years ago. In the meantime, social insurance has seen great advancements. Estonia has become a member of the European Union and, as of 1 May 2004, the Council of the European Union Regulations on application of social insurance schemes apply with regard to Estonia. Besides, in Ukraine as in Estonia, new types of benefits have been established. For example, neither the unemployment insurance benefit nor the parental benefit scheme existed in Estonia at the time when the current Agreement was concluded. Ukraine has also changed its social insurance schemes. The Agreement concerns mostly the pro rata calculation upon the payment of pensions which means that benefits are granted and calculated in proportion to the time worked in the respective state and pensions are paid pursuant to national legislation.
On the motion of the Rural Affairs Committee, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act and the Administrative Co-operation Act (72 SE), initiated by the Government, was concluded. The aim of the Bill is in the first place to bring the European Union Common Agricultural Policy Implementation Act which is currently in force into conformity with European Union law and to specify the text of the Act which entered into force on 1 January 2010 by making the text more understandable and clearer. The Act is amended by adding provisions which aim to ensure implementation of the LEADER measure according to the objectives of the measure and to create opportunities for better and more purposeful use of the funding allocated for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The references to European Union legislation in the provisions of the Act are also amended because the Regulations referred to have been amended or replaced by new ones. One of the aims of the Act is also to regulate the issues connected with the financing of the activities before expenses are incurred from the state budget. The Bill was sent to the third reading.
On the motion of the Rural Affairs Committee, the second reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Plant Propagation and Plant Variety Rights Act (93 SE), initiated by the Government, was concluded. The aim of the Bill is to transpose into Estonian law the new requirements arising from the relevant European Commission directive which entered into force at the end of 2010. This directive provides for certain derogations for marketing of fodder plant seed mixtures intended for use in the preservation of the natural environment. The amendments will allow the marketing of fodder plant seed mixtures which are intended for use in the preservation of the natural environment in the context of the conservation of genetic resources, even where the components of those mixtures do not comply with some of the general requirements for marketing. The Bill was sent to the third reading.
On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee, the Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (63 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 42 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 35 members voted against. Thus, this Bill was dropped from the legislative proceeding.
On the motion of the Legal Affairs Committee, the Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (73 SE), initiated by the Social Democratic Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. 42 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the motion and 32 members voted against. This Bill was dropped from the legislative proceeding.
The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to the Electricity Market Act and the General Part of the Economic Activities Code Act (83 SE), initiated by the Government, will be resumed in the next, 6th working week of the Riigikogu.
The Riigikogu Press Service
