The Riigikogu passed two Resolutions:

The Riigikogu passed with 72 votes in favour the Resolution of the Riigikogu On Applying the Position of the Supreme Court in the Matter of Interpreting § 111 of the Constitution in conjunction with the Act on Amendments to the Constitution and the Law of the European Union (813 OE), submitted by the Constitutional Committee and the European Union Affairs Committee, wherein the Riigikogu asks the Supreme Court whether Eesti Pank, being a full member of the Economic and Monetary Union, maintains the sole right to issue Estonian money. The Riigikogu also wants to know whether Eesti Pank maintains the right to issue Estonian kroons.

The Riigikogu passed with 68 votes in favour (1 abstention) the Resolution of the Riigikogu On Amendments to the Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Approval of the Tendencies of Criminal Policy until the Year 2010 (790 OE), submitted by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian Centre Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction. The Resolution makes amendments to the term of drafting the annual report concerning the implementation of tendencies of criminal policy. The term is taken from 1 November to 1 March, because the annual crime report of last year will be ready by that time. The amendment to the term creates a better ground for substantive discussion.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of four Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Enforcement Procedure and Associated Acts (779 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the President of the Republic Official Benefits Act, Income Tax Act and Social Tax Act (805 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian Centre Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction;

The Bill on Amendments to the Acts Related to the Issue and Use of Privatisation Vouchers (788 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Republic of Estonia Employment Contracts Act (763 SE), initiated by the Estonian Centre Party Faction, Estonian People’s Union Faction and Estonian Reform Party Faction.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills:

The Bill on the Ratification of the Protocol Amending the Convention between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Estonia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, and the Protocol thereto (798 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Creative Persons and Creative Persons Associations Act (804 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

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The Riigikogu rejected from the legislative proceeding at its first reading with 48 votes in favour (30 against) the Bill on Amendments to § 15 of the Value Added Tax Act (768 SE), initiated by Members of the Riigikogu Mark Soosaar, Liina Tõnisson and Peeter Kreitzberg.

At Question Time Minister of Regional Affairs Jaan Õunapuu answered the questions about the administrative division and regional management of Estonia, the appointment of county governors, the permanent ferry link with Saare County, the situation of schools in rural areas, and about the Tallinn-Tartu motorway. Minister of Defence Jürgen Ligi answered the question about national defence education in schools.

The Riigikogu Press Service