The Riigikogu passed four Acts:

The Riigikogu passed with 78 votes in favour the Earth’s Crust Act Amendment Act (20 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, Estonian People’s Union Faction and Estonian Green Party Faction. The Act entitles the Riigikogu to approve the 2007-2015 Oil-Shale Use National Development Plan, which is currently being harmonised.

The Riigikogu passed with 75 votes in favour the Waste Act Amendment Act (45 SE), initiated by the Environment Committee. The Act stipulates the compilation of the dangerous waste consignment note as a paper as well as a digital document. The requirement for the consignment note to be compiled as a digital document enters into force on 1 October 2008.

The Riigikogu passed the Act on the Ratification of the Amendment Agreement to the Cotonou Agreement (58 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act makes amendments to the Agreement on the obligations taken by the European Union, including the obligations arising from the UN millennium objectives in preventing the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction, fighting against international terrorism etc. The Act simplifies the implementation of the Act, creates the basis for the emergence of a systematic and formal, political, economic and social dialogue. The Cooperation Agreement, signed in the capital of Benin Cotonou, regulates economic and political relations of the states in the region of Africa, Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean with the European Community and between its Member States.

The Riigikogu passed with 74 votes in favour the Act on the Ratification of the Internal Agreement between the Member States of the European Union Concerning the financing of the community Aid and Granting of Financial Assistance under the Cotonou Agreement to Certain Overseas Countries and Territories (59 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act stipulates the measures introduced inside the European Union, for the implementation of financial obligations under the Cotonou Agreement and the Financial Protocol. The scale of contributions of the Member States, the distribution of measures between the states of the region of Africa, Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and the overseas countries and territories, the measures of the European Investment Bank, the means provided for covering the grant expenses related to the European Development Fund and general implementation matters are determined.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of four Bills:

The Status of Member of the Riigikogu Bill (54 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian People’s Union Faction, Estonian Green Party Faction, Pro Patria Union Faction and Social Democratic Party Faction, the purpose of which is to further develop the parliamentarism in Estonia, to reorganise the activities of the Riigikogu and the status of its members. The Bill specifies the legal status of Member of the Riigikogu and his/her rights and obligations. The Constitutional Committee has introduced several amendments in the Bill, which among other things retain the present regulation of expenses benefits. The Bill was sent to the third reading. The final voting is on Thursday, 14 June.

The Bill on Amendments to the Republic of Estonia Child Protection Act, Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, Social Welfare Act, Punishment Register Act, Private School Act, Vocational Educational Institutions Act, Pre-School Child Care Institutions Act, Youth Work Act, Penal Code, Code of Misdemeanour Procedure and Hobby School Act (43 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (63 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Fuel Excise Duty Act, Environmental Charges Act and Roads Act (64 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of five Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to § 167 of the Defence Forces Service Act (60 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Traffic Act and Wages Act (42 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and Law of Obligations Act (28 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Official Statistics Act (61 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Motor Third Party Liability Insurance Act, Insurance Activities Act and Traffic Act (48 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

On the motion of the Economic Affairs Committee as the leading committee the Bill on Amendments to the Advertising Act (6 SE), initiated by the Centre Party Faction, was rejected at the first reading. The result of voting: 41 votes in favour, 39 votes against, 1 abstention. The Bill was withdrawn from legislative proceeding.

At Question Time Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts answered the questions about the economic development, local roads and road management investments, the port of Küdeva in Saaremaa and contributions to inventors’ activities.

Minister of Education and Research Tõnis Lukas answered the questions about the Coalition Agreement and the management of public law universities.

Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi answered the questions about the sustainable use of natural resources and the financing of water projects.

The verbatim record (in Estonian) can be found at: https://www.riigikogu.ee/?op=steno

The sitting ended at 6.28 p.m.

The Riigikogu Press Service