At today’s sitting, the Riigikogu passed an Act that extends the target group of people who receive the dental care benefit in a heightened upper limit to include the registered unemployed and people who receive the subsistence benefit.

At present, persons of over 63 years of age, persons receiving pension for incapacity for work, old-age pensioners, persons with partial or no capacity for work, pregnant women and mothers of children under one year, and persons with an increased need for dental care service in connection with their illness or a health care service provided receive a benefit in a heightened limit (85 euro per year with a 15 per cent cost sharing). In the future, people who are registered as unemployed with the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and those who have received subsistence benefit during the two calendar months preceding the month when they receive dental care will be entitled to receive a dental care benefit in a heightened upper limit.

The planned date of entry into force of the Act is 1 January 2022.

During the debate, Heljo Pikhof took the floor on behalf of the Social Democratic Party, Marika Tuus-Laul on behalf of the Centre Party Faction and Peeter Ernits on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction.

93 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act on Amendments to the Health Insurance Act (467 SE), initiated by the Government, and there was one abstention.

The Riigikogu passed ten other Acts

Under the Act on Amendments to the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure, the Traffic Act and the Taxation Act (457 SE), initiated by the Government, local governments will be able to install automatic speed cameras in their administrative territories in cooperation with the state, and a half of the proceeds from fines received for the violations detected with such cameras will be transferred to local government budgets.

With the money allocated from the proceeds from fines, local governments will be able to cover for example the costs of the procurement and management of automated traffic supervision systems or to procure new equipment, or to use the proceeds from the fines in other ways to improve local road safety.

In the future, automated traffic supervision systems will be installed on local government roads and used in trilateral cooperation. Local governments will be in charge of procuring and managing the equipment, the Transport Administration will manage the database of the automated traffic supervision system and forward data to the police information system, and the Police and Border Guard Board will be in charge of implementing the written caution procedure.

The Act also establishes the requirements regarding the location of installation of the automated traffic supervision system. Local governments will have to contact the Police and Border Guard Board and the Transport Administration to find suitable locations for automatic speed cameras. The Act provides that cameras should be installed in locations that pose traffic hazards and that cannot be made safer with other measures. The Police and Border Guard Board will decide on the suitability of locations.

The Act also increases the rate for the maximum cautionary fine, that is, the fine imposed with the automated traffic supervision system, from 190 euro to 300 euro and the maximum rate for the deterrent fine from 80 euro 100 euro. The rate of cautionary fine has remained at the same level since its establishment 12 years ago. The Act makes another amendment to enable the Tax and Customs Board to collect deterrent fines faster and more effectively without engaging an enforcement agent.

The Act specifies that the notice of fine will be sent in a registered letter with advice of delivery where receipt of a notice of fine sent by electronic means is not confirmed within 15 days of sending thereof. Until now, a registered letter had to be sent if the recipient of the notice did not confirm receipt of the notice or pay the fine within three days. The amendment will create more flexible options to pay the fine or to confirm the receipt of the notice of fine and to forward it where a breach is not committed by the owner or authorised user of the car, and will allow sufficient time to challenge the notice of fine.

During the debate, Marek Jürgenson took the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Faction.

59 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the passage of the Act and 27 voted against.

The Act on Amendments to the Family Law Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (474 SE), initiated by the Government, amends the procedure for the payment of maintenance to children who are minors. The current amount of minimum maintenance, which is one-half of the minimum monthly wage, will be replaced with fairer and more flexible bases for calculating maintenance.

According to the Act, the amount of a maintenance allowance will have to be established in consideration of the real needs of the child and the possibilities of the parent and the amount of time he or she spends with the child. It will also have to be taken into account how many children the parent must maintain and to whom the child benefit and the benefit for families with many children are paid.

According to the Act, the base amount for determining a maintenance allowance is 200 euro, which is indexed on 1 April every year and to which three per cent of the average gross salary in the previous year is added every year. The national child benefit and the benefit for families with many children are also included in the maintenance, and the payment obligation of the obligated parent decreases on account of that. The court will retain the right to increase or decrease a maintenance allowance in view of differences between the parents’ incomes and the needs of the child.

The Act sets out a derogation to the effect that the parent does not have to pay maintenance during their military service as the child receives the conscript’s child allowance or the allowance for a child of a person in alternative service. The Act does not change current court judgments or agreements. It does however provide for a transitional provision under which the maintenances tied to the amount of one-half of the rate of the minimum remuneration are frozen at the current level and they will not increase when the minimum wage rises.

During the debate, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski took the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Vilja Toomast on behalf of the Reform Party Faction, Tarmo Kruusimäe on behalf of Faction Isamaa and Indrek Saar on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction.

71 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the passage of the Act and five voted against.

The Act on Amendments to the Copyright Act (transposition of copyright directives) (368 SE), initiated by the Government, transposes two European Union copyright directives that entered into force in summer 2019. They were part of the “copyright reform package” published by the European Commission in September 2016. The amendments will ensure consumers better access to content protected under copyright, while at the same time protecting the rights of authors and performers.

The amendments will improve the negotiating position of authors and performers when entering into author’s contracts, and will obligate their contractual counterparts to provide information on the exploitation of the rights to them at least once a year.

It will also be possible to enter into extended collective licensing agreements upon the use of works where obtaining authorisations from rightholders on an individual basis would be too onerous for the user. This will concern for example the provision of television and radio services.

Among other things, obligations are also established for web platforms (e.g. YouTube, Facebook) the main purpose of which is to enable users of the service to upload content and to access works, performances and other content that may be protected by copyright or related rights (video clips of concerts, extracts from films and television series, music recordings, etc.).

More cases of free use are also provided where users are allowed to use protected works and subject matter of related rights (e.g. performance or phonogram) without the consent of the rightholder and without payment of remuneration. For example, it will be possible to use works without the consent of the author and without payment of remuneration for the purposes of text and data mining for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. Under the current law, this is permitted only for non-commercial purposes. In addition, better opportunities are created for cultural heritage institutions (libraries, museums, archives) to use out-of-commerce works to promote cultural heritage.

81 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act.

The Act on Amendments to the Environmental Monitoring Act (440 SE), initiated by the Government, provides for the legal bases for the provision of the paid services of analysing the environmental data of the Environment Agency (KAUR), and forecast. The purpose of the amendments is to reduce the workload for KAUR and the administrative burden for clients. It will be possible to enter into contracts for the provision of services with interested companies under which the companies will no longer need to submit frequent queries.

According to the Act, KAUR can provide the paid service of analysing the environmental data relating to its core activity and the paid forecast service outside the environmental monitoring programme. Such services include special-purpose weather forecast, forecast models, paid weather helpline, creating wind roses, analysis of meteorological and hydrological data, and hydrological engineering calculations. The paid services are used by clients who, due to their personal needs, need more specific data compared to the publicly available free services. Collecting such data often entails extensive analysis and drawing up separate forecasts. Media, energy and construction companies and ports are the most frequent users of the paid services.

The Act also provides for, by service, the maximum and minimum rates for the paid services, and a provision delegating authority to the Minister of the Environment to establish a specified list of the paid services and the rates of the fees.

The explanatory memorandum notes that national environmental monitoring is funded from the state budget but historically there has been a need for such paid services. For example, last year 61 clients submitted 267 orders for services to KAUR, with a volume of own revenue of about 140,000 euro. In Estonia, there are no other providers of meteorological and hydrological services because the services are closely connected with large data volumes. The predecessors of KAUR have, in addition to their core functions, already been servicing the small target groups who need these services.

In the debate, Peeter Ernits took the floor on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party.

86 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act.

The Act on Amendments to the Competition Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (442 SE), initiated by the Government, provides for the bases under which the tasks of the Competition Authority would also be funded from supervision fees.

According to the Act, supervision fees are charged from monopoly-holding businesses with regulated prices. The supervision fee will be included in the price of the services provided to the end consumer. The businesses will not experience added administrative burden. The fee rates are provided in the Act and they are non-negotiable. This will guarantee the impartiality of the Authority. A similar funding model is in use in funding the Financial Supervision Authority in Estonia. It is also used by most economic regulators in the European countries. The other task of the authority – competition supervision – would continue to be funded from the state budget.

The key amendment provides for the bases for the payment of supervision fees. In addition, amendments are made to the Public Water Supply and Sewerage Act, on the basis of which the price regulation of all water undertakings is designated under the control of the Competition Authority. The Act also amends the Electricity Market Act, the District Heating Act, the Aviation Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Postal Act, and the Ports Act. The Acts are amended by including a reference to the effect that supervision fee is paid to the Competition Authority on the bases of and pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Competition Act.

No obligation to pay supervision fee is provided for companies operating in the railway sector, because the operational costs of both public railway infrastructure companies Estonian Railways Ltd and Edelaraudtee Ltd are funded from the state budget, and the supervision fee would also be paid from the state budget and not by consumers which is the principle for funding the supervision work of the Competition Authority.

During the debate, Urmas Reinsalu took the floor on behalf of the Faction Isamaa, Mart Helme on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party and Annely Akkermann on behalf of the Reform Party Faction.

68 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of the passage of the Act and 16 voted against.

The Act on Amendments to the Act on Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Other Acts, and the Act on Amendments to the Employment Contracts Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (456 SE) initiated by the Government, extends until the end of next year the procedure for the payment of sickness benefit under which employees receive sickness benefit from the second day of their sick leave.

The Act provides for continuing until the end of 2022 the procedure whereby the employer pays sickness benefit from the second to the fifth day of sick leave, and the Estonian Health Insurance Fund pays it from the sixth day of sick leave. Thus, according to the Act, the current system will continue until the end of 2022. The first day of sick leave is the employee’s own liability, the second to fifth days are the employer’s liability in the payment of sickness benefit, and the liability of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund begins on the sixth day of sick leave.

The explanatory memorandum notes that earlier compensation for days of sick leave enables people to remain at home already when the first symptoms of illness appear without a significant loss of income.

When the amendments are implemented, additional expenses of 19 million euro will be incurred in 2022, of which 12.4 million euro will be covered form the state budget and the rest from the own resources of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

The Act is planned to be in force for a specified period of time, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.

During the debate, Siret Kotka took the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Faction and Riina Sikkut on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction.

88 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act.

The Act on Amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Duty Act (458 SE), initiated by the Government, transposes EU directives on excise duties.

The main amendments arising from the directive regulating the general arrangement for the payment of excise duty are connected with the establishment of the requirement of electronic delivery note for excise goods across the EU. The Act provides that, upon transport of goods subject to excise duty to other Member States, an electronic delivery note must be filled in the Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS).

The EMCS is an EU-wide electronic system for delivery notes that is used to formalise delivery notes for excise goods on which excise duty has not been paid upon transport between Member States. The EU is also extending this system to formalise delivery notes for excise goods that are subject to excise duty in the place of dispatch and that are transported to other Member States. Today, Estonian businesses are using the national electronic system for delivery notes SADHES. In the future, delivery notes will have to be processed on EMCS.

For seamless export, in the future, it will also be possible to use the external transit procedure in addition to the export customs procedure. Under the current law, excise goods are deemed to have been exported from the moment when they are taken out of the EU excise territory. According to an amendment, goods can also be deemed to have been exported from the moment of the application of the external transit procedure, that is, already before the goods are physically taken out of the EU excise territory. Such an amendment will allow economic operators to save resources on account of excise guarantees. Upon application of the external transit procedure, taxes will be ensured under customs rules that also cover the excise duty.

On the basis of the amendments to the directive regulating specific issues relating to alcohol, the Act updates the codes of the combined nomenclature used to describe alcohol products, specifies the principles for exemption upon the use of alcohol for cleaning manufacturing equipment, and sets out the principles how economic operators prove their status as small undertakings to public authorities of other countries.

The costs of the implementation of the Act will be mainly connected with IT-development activities, which will be about 200,000 euro. The IT development costs will be covered from the budget of the Tax and Customs Board for 2022, and the annual maintenance costs of about 20,000 euro will be applied for within the framework of the state budget strategy for the year preceding the costs.

86 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act, and one voted against.

The Act on Amendments to the Funded Pensions Act, the Taxation Act and the Income Tax Act (468 SE), initiated by the Government, creates a new solution for paying fixed-term pensions in the 3rd pillar – the supplementary pension fund. The payments will be made from voluntary pension funds, and if a person has acquired units of several different pension funds, the units will be taken back in all their funds.

This scheme is similar to that of the payment of the 2nd pillar funded pension. Upon retirement, the person will set the term specifying for how long they wish to receive the pension, and the frequency of payment. After that, the Estonian Funded Pension Registry will start making payments from the pension funds, dividing the number of units belonging to the person by the period of receiving the pension and taking into account the frequency of paying the pension. All pension funds where the retired person has acquired units will be taken into account.

The explanatory memorandum to the Act explains that the tax exemption on the pension payments determined on the basis of the Statistics Estonia average number of years left to live, or for a longer term, entered into force on already on 1 January 2021. Until now, this benefit has only been available for the 3rd pillar insurance contracts, as there was no corresponding product for payouts from voluntary pension funds. From the new year, people retiring under the 3rd pillar will now be able to opt for a fixed-term pension from voluntary pension funds, in addition to other pension options.

The Act also makes amendments in relation to the 2nd pillar. The first amendment concerns the payment of the contributions to the 2nd pillar in the situation when the employer has incurred tax arrears. According to the logic of the general prepayment account, the amounts paid are used to settle obligations according to their due dates. Under the Taxation Act, the payments of the 2nd pillar will be separated from the general order of obligations, which ensures that the payments will reach the 2nd pillar faster in the case the employers has other tax arrears. In the order of payment of the claims that arise on the same day, the payment of the 2nd pillar is in the first place also according to the existing legislation, but in the case the employer has obligations with an earlier date they will be met in the first order. The Act also amends the provisions on paying in instalments, and it will not be allowed to pay the contributions of the 2nd pillar in instalments.

Another amendment relating to the 2nd pillar concerns the derogation on the taxation of income earned from the financial assets acquired through the investment account, where the reference to the 2nd pillar pension investment account had earlier not been made. In the case of the 2nd pillar, the payout is taxed (except the lifetime pension or the fixed-term pension divided on at least the average number of years left to live, which are exempt from income tax), and therefore the income earned on investments should not be taxed in the meantime here either. With the Act, a relevant correction is made to the Income Tax Act.

92 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act.

The Act on Amendments to the Income Tax Act (469 SE), initiated by the Government, provides an income tax exemption for people of retirement age to the extent of the average old-age pension.

Under the Act, the general tax-exempt income will no longer be applied to people who have reached old-age pension age. Instead, they will receive the tax-exempt income of a person of old-age pension age to the extent of the average old age pension, regardless of the size of their income. The Social Insurance Board will be the first to apply the basic exemption on the income, followed by the Estonian Funded Pension Registry. If a person’s pension and mandatory funded pension payments combine into a lower total amount than the tax-exempt income of the person of old-age pension age, the remainder of their tax-exempt income can be applied to their other income, such as their salary. To receive this, the pensioner must submit an application to the withholding authority, i.e., the authority who makes the pension payments.

All persons of old-age pension age are entitled to apply the tax-exempt income of a person of old-age pension age, regardless of whether they have retired or which type of pension they receive. This means that people who have postponed their retirement can also deduct the tax-exempt income of a person of old-age pension age.

When a person reaches the old-age pension age during the taxation period, they receive the right to use the tax-exempt income of a person of old-age pension age for the whole taxation period, i.e., 12 times the monthly rate just like in the case of the general tax-exempt income.

The size of the average old age pension within the meaning of the Income Tax Act is set out for the taxation period under the annual State Budget Act. In 2023, according to the summer forecast of the Ministry of Finance, the average old age pension will be EUR 654, taking into account the extraordinary EUR 20 pension increase.

The Act also retains the income tax exemption on the payments of mandatory and complementary funded pensions intended for people with no capacity for work once they reach the old-age pension age. For this purpose, payments of mandatory and complementary funded pensions made to persons who were incapacitated for work immediately before reaching old-age pension age will be exempt from income tax. Currently, payments to persons with certified incapacity for work are not taxed. When such persons reach old-age pension age, they are no longer eligible for the certificate of incapacity for work, which results in them losing the income tax exemption. The planned amendment will ensure that the income tax exemption intended for persons with no capacity for work will apply to them even when they reach old-age pension age.

The Act is planned to enter into force on 1 January 2023, and the income tax exemption for persons with no capacity for work will be applied retroactively as of 1 January 2021.

During the debate, Kersti Sarapuu took the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Aivar Kokk on behalf of the Faction Isamaa, Riina Sikkut on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction and Mart Võrklaev on behalf of the Reform Party Faction.

91 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act.

According to the State Budget for 2022 Act (464 SE), initiated by the Government, the volume of the revenue of the coming year’s state budget is 13.132 billion euro, the volume of expenditure 13.633 billion euro, and the volume of investments 724 billion euro. The volume of expenditure will exceed the volume of revenue, but the structural position has improved compared to both last year and the state budget strategy for 2022–2025. Defence spending accounts for 2.3 per cent of GDP, and research and development expenditure for one per cent.

The next year’s budget allocates 2.78 million euro for regional investments. During the third reading, funds were added for increasing the competitiveness of the maritime sector and continuing the support measure for international passenger shipping.

The Government has set three key priorities for the coming year’s state budget: getting the daily expenditure of the state under control, investments in people, and ensuring a rapid and sustainable development for Estonia.

Next year’s state budget is intended to ensure emergence of the Estonian society and economy from the coronavirus crisis, and making the economy future-proof. Besides emerging from the crisis, focus will again be on longer-term goals by moving towards structural budget balance. When drafting the state budget, the Government took into account its priorities: rapid exit from the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the mental and physical health of people, financial sustainability, education and innovation, green economy, active foreign policy, national defence and reducing regional inequality.

The state budget for 2022 was drafted based on the State Budget Strategy 2022–2025, the Action Programme of the Government of the Republic, the recommendations of the European Commission made within the framework of the European Semester and the summer economic forecast of the Ministry of Finance.

During the debate, Jaanus Karilaid took the floor on behalf of the Centre Party Faction, Helir-Valdor Seeder on behalf of Faction Isamaa, Riina Sikkut on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Faction, Rene Kokk on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Faction and Jürgen Ligi on behalf of the Reform Party Faction.

59 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act and 37 voted against.

The Riigikogu passed 11 Resolutions on the use of the Defence Forces in foreign missions

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Composition of the United Kingdom’s Joint Expeditionary Force” (444 OE), submitted by the Government, provides for participation in the United Kingdom’s Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) with up to 24 servicemen.

The explanatory memorandum describes JEF as a coalition of the willing, which is initiated, owned, and led by the United Kingdom, with members from other countries. JEF brings together like-minded countries who share a common sense of danger and who are generally ready to contribute to operations quickly and flexibly over the whole range of warfare and crisis management activities, from humanitarian crises to conventional warfare. JEF can act independently or as part of a larger military unit. The use of JEF is flexible – the initiation of possible operations, or participation in these, is open to all or just interested Member States. Based on the joint decision of the Member States, JEF focuses on ensuring security in the Baltic Sea region and the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, thus enhancing the defence and deterrence stance in the Baltic states.

71 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Training Mission in Mozambique” (445 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to five servicemen to the European Union Training Mission EUTM Mozambique.

The explanatory memorandum describes participation in the new EU military mission EUTM Mozambique as important for Estonia both from the foreign and defence policy point of view. One of Estonia’s priorities is to take part in carrying out the EU common security and defence policy, and to develop cooperation with strategic allies on the EU southern flank. By participating in the mission, Estonia is contributing, in solidarity with the other Member States, towards an EU military operation. The mission is led by Portugal who puts great political focus on the events in Mozambique and has included it as one of the priorities of its current EU Presidency. For Estonia, it is important to show solidarity with Portugal because Portugal has contributed to the Baltic security by taking part in the NATO air policing mission four times in Šiauliai, Lithuania, in 2007, 2014, 2016, and 2018, and is planning to return in September 2021, and hopefully further on in the future. The support of Portugal as a NATO ally in strengthening the security on the eastern flank of the Alliance will remain important for Estonia and the Baltic Sea region more broadly.

55 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Act, and one against it.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the International Military Operation “Inherent Resolve”” (446 OE), submitted by the Government, provides for participating in the international, US led military operation Inherent Resolve with up to ten servicemen.

The aim of the operation is to fight against ISIL, primarily in Iraq and Syria, and an important task is to train the Iraqi security forces. Inherent Resolve focuses on supporting stabilisation in Iraq and Syria after the physical defeat of ISIL, and it supports the Iraqi government in the field of security. In supporting the training of the Iraqi security forces, close cooperation is in place with NATO and the Iraqi government. ISIL has been significantly weakened through the actions of the coalition, and no longer controls areas of Iraq and Syria; however, ISIL has remained capable of organising attacks both within the region and across the globe.

The explanatory memorandum states that participation in international military operations provides proof of Estonia’s commitment to participate in burden-sharing for the benefit of achieving peace and stability around the world. The participation of the US led coalition of will also supports excellent allied relations between Estonia and the United States, as well as defence and security cooperation. The participation at the operation also gives the Defence Forces a major operational output that benefits the integral development of the Defence Forces.

Based on the need for training in Iraq and the possible need to adjust the emphasis of the operation, the number of servicemen provided in the draft (ten) allows Estonia to make additional and flexible contributions to the operations, should the need arise. Estonian servicemen do not take part in military operations on the Syrian territory.

67 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mission in Iraq” (447 OE), submitted by the Government, provides for participating in the NATO mission in Iraq with up to five servicemen.

NATO non-combat training and advisory mission NMI was established in Baghdad in October 2018. The work of the mission is directed against the threats emanating from the southern flank of the Alliance more broadly, helping Iraq to build sustainable, transparent, inclusive, and efficient security structures to enhance their capability in the fight against terrorism, preventing ISIL from returning, and stabilising the country. For this end, NATO provides advising to the Iraqi security structures. NMI trains the Iraqi security forces in close cooperation with the Iraqi government. NMI advises and provides training but does not take part in battle operations next to the Iraqi forces.

The explanatory memorandum states that participation in the mission in Iraq allows Estonia to actively contribute to grounding the threats emanating from the southern flank of the Alliance, contribute to NATO collective security, and support allies and partner countries in the fight against terrorism.

63 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Military Mission EUNAVFOR Med/Irini” (448 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to six servicemen to the operation EUNAVFOR Med/Irini.

The primary goal of the EUNAVFOR Med/Irini operation is to support the implementation of the UN weapons embargo on Libya. This includes conducting inspections off the Libyan coast on ships suspected of transporting weapons or related materials to or from Libya, based on the UN Security Council resolution No 2292 (2016). In addition, the mission also supports applying UN measures to block illegal oil export from Libya, training and developing Libyan navy and border guards, and breaking down networks of trafficking and human smuggling.

In 2021, Estonia contributed two staff officers to the EUNAVFOR Med/Irini headquarters in Rome. In view of the importance of EUNAVFOR Med/Irini in responding to security challenges near the EU southern border, the number of servicemen provided in the resolution (six) allows an additional contribution to the operation when need be.

Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

66 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Composition of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Response Force” (449 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to 280 servicemen to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Response Force.

The establishment of the NATO Response Force (NRF) was decided at the Prague Summit in 2002. The NRF is a high-readiness unit capable of conducting military operations anywhere in the world. The NRF plays a key role in launching NATO’s short-notice collective defence operations. The NRF is commanded by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). The decision to deploy the NRF is taken by the North Atlantic Council. Ensuring the full manning of the NRF is directly in Estonia’s national interests because the NRF ensures NATO’s commitment to deterrence and collective defence.

In addition, Estonia is meeting its allied duties by contributing to the NATO Readiness Initiative (NRI) since early 2021. The agreement on the NRI was reached at the 2018 NATO Summit in Brussels. The purpose of the initiative is to improve the readiness of the allied forces to allow for a rapid response using national forces, incl. in situations of collective defence. These units would in that case complement the forces already in the NRF.

60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the European Union Training Mission and the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali” (450 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to ten servicemen to the EU Training Mission in Mali, and with up to five servicemen to the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali.

The objective of EUTM Mali is to support developing the military capability of the Malian armed forces, to make sure that Mali itself is capable of defending its population and territory, and to improve the security situation in Mali. In addition to that, it supports achieving political stability and implementing the Algiers peace agreement in order to enhance state authority and restoration of the rule of law throughout Mali. EUTM Mali supports the Sahel region more broadly by improving the operational capability of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and enhancing regional cooperation, focusing primarily on common security threats, in particular terrorism and human trafficking.

The EUTM Mali mandate is valid until 18 May 2024, and the operation area was extended to include other Sahel countries, i.e., Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad. Next to Mali, other more prioritised countries are Burkina Faso and Niger.

The strategic objective of MINUSMA is to support the implementation of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. Another strategic aim of the mission is to facilitate the implementation of Mali’s broad strategy in order to protect civilians, reduce inter-community violence, and ensure the provision of the main public services particularly in central Mali. MINUSMA is applying its activities in carrying out the mandate, taking into account the developments in the region and enhancing coordination with other international and regional associations active in the region, as well as with G5 Sahel.

The explanatory memorandum refers to Mali’s challenges in increasing stability and security across the country, and Estonia is contributing through participation in international training cooperation. Through this cooperation, Estonia contributes to the common fight against the threats affecting Europe, including the fight against terrorism and the resolution of immigration issues.

During the debate, Leo Kunnas and Peeter Ernits (both from the Estonian Conservative People’s Party) took the floor.

46 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution and 16 voted against.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the Post-Conflict Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon, Israel, Egypt and Syria” (451 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to six servicemen to the UN peacekeeping mission in the Middle East.

UNTSO is the first UN peacekeeping mission that is purely an observation mission. The UNTSO activities are carried out in the Middle East, more specifically in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The mission HQ is located in Jerusalem. UNTSO military observers have been active in the region through decades, keeping the hostile sides apart and thus preventing the escalation of local conflicts into one big conflict hot spot in the Middle East.

The explanatory memorandum states that Estonia is contributing to ensuring security in crisis regions as a UN member state. Participation in UN missions has been important for Estonia, even more so now that Estonia has served as an elected member of the UN Security Council in 2020–2021. The participation of Estonian servicemen in UN operations helps to strengthen Estonia’s contribution to UN activities in securing peace.

Estonian military observers have been part of the UNTSO mission since 1997. As of 2014, Estonia’s contribution to the mission was increased to up to six servicemen with a Resolution of the Riigikogu. They man the positions of a military observer and a Senior Staff Officer. The maximum number of servicemen will remain six also in 2022.

61 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in France’s Military Operation Task Force Takuba in Mali and Niger (former name “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in France’s Military Operation Barkhane in Mali”) (452 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to 75 servicemen to the French led military operation in Takuba Mali and Niger.

Participation in the operation as part of the Takuba special task force also helps to deepen the strategic relationship between Estonia and France, which is not only based on a shared value space but also a common understanding of the security environment and the threats affecting it. France is actively contributing to strengthening the NATO deterrence stance in the Baltic Sea region through the presence of its allied units in defence of the security of the Baltic states. Members of the French government and high-ranking officers have deeply appreciated Estonia’s contribution to the operation and have commended the service of Estonian servicemen.

In addition, participation in the operation and the Takuba special task force helps to ensure stability and better security in Mali and Niger. By training Malian armed forces, Estonia is helping Mali to build its capabilities toolbox to cement its own security and fight more efficiently against armed insurgents and terrorist groups in the region.

44 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution and 17 voted against.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in Another International Military Operation Led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or its Member State, the European Union or the UN upon the First Contribution thereto” (453 OE), submitted by the Government, provides for the use of up to 100 servicemen under subsection 34 (1) of the National Defence Act, which provides that the Riigikogu determines annually by a resolution the number of servicemen who may participate in an international military operation led by NATO or a member state thereof, the EU, or the UN, upon contributing thereto for the first time. The exact nature and size of Estonia’s contribution depend on the needs of the specific operation and they will be decided by an order of the government according to the National Defence Act. The further use of the Defence Forces in the same operation will be decided through the general procedure by a resolution of the Riigikogu.

Conflicts and crises in various regions of the world may escalate unexpectedly and quickly and, if necessary, Estonia must be capable of using units of the Defence Forces to crisis and conflict regions quickly and flexibly in order to support international stability and thus also protect Estonia’s security interests. This mandate allows Estonia to respond as flexibly as possible to rapidly escalating situations that do not fall under other exemptions on allowing rapid response under the National Defence Act (e.g., participation in the NATO Response Force).

59 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

The Resolution of the Riigikogu “Extension of the Time Limit for the Use of the Defence Forces in the Fulfilment of the International Commitments of the Estonian State in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon” (454 OE), submitted by the Government, allows to contribute with up to three servicemen to the UNIFIL mission (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).

The UN peacekeeping mission plays an important stabilising role in Lebanon and the whole region, having a deterring effect on the spreading of violence. The main task of the mission is to observe the situation in the region, promote prevention of possible hostile activities, and ensure international peace and security, as well as support the government of Lebanon in cementing the state authority in the southern part of the country. The UNIFIL activities are carried out in the area between Litani River and the Blue Line (the border drawn between Israel and Lebanon by the UN on 7 June 2000).

As a UN member state, Estonia is contributing to ensuring security in crisis regions. As a country contributing towards collective security, Estonia is keeping a close eye on the events in the Middle East, and the security policy impact of events there on the stability in the Middle East and the rest of the world. Participation in UN missions has been important for Estonia, and is even more so now that Estonia has served as an elected member of the UN Security Council in 2020–2021. The participation of Estonian servicemen in UN operations helps to strengthen Estonia’s contribution to UN activities in securing peace.

57 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Resolution.

Two Bills passed the second reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Planning Act and Amendments to Other Associated Acts (378 SE), initiated by the Government, provides for the establishment of a central database of spatial plans. The purpose of the Bill is to update the whole planning procedure and to economise on resources.

A central database of spatial plans would allow storing and disclosing information on spatial plans in force, their annexes, and the decisions made in the course of the planning procedure.

The Bill will bring the provisions on planning procedure into conformity with the Administrative Procedure Act, which will allows delivering documents and sending notices electronically in the course of the planning procedure. At present, the authorities organising the preparation of spatial plans send notices and documents in the course of the planning procedure only by registered mail.

The Bill also provides for the possibility to hold public discussions online. The Bill would allow notices to persons involved in the planning procedure to be sent through apartment associations.

The amendments to the Bill omit the stage of making proposals regarding the intention to develop the bases for the pre-selection of the location of a national designated spatial plan and for the strategic environmental impact analysis. The omission of this stage will not reduce the opportunities of persons or authorities to be involved in the preparation of a plan or giving their opinion on it, as these opportunities are ensured through the public display and discussion stage preceding the request for proposals, and through the stage of coordination and submission of opinions following the request. The omission of a stage will shorten the process of the preparation of a plan by about two months.

The Bill also regulate public display, which takes place during the preparation stage of a detailed design of a national designated spatial plan; extend the deadline for enforcing the procedure underlying the contracts under public law for constructing objects intended for public use or to fund their construction; and amend the implementing provisions.

During the debate, Andres Metsoja (Isamaa) and Heiki Hepner (Isamaa) took the floor.

The Bill on Amendments to the Ports Act, the Maritime Safety Act and the State Fees Act (425 SE), initiated by the government, will transpose the relevant directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships, amending a directive and repealing an earlier directive.

The definition of “waste from ships” will be introduced, which means all waste, including cargo residues, which is generated during the service of a ship or during loading, unloading and cleaning operations. The obligation of ships in notifying of waste from ships and in keeping records on waste from ships will also be amended.

Waste fished passively in the course of commercial fishing that is caught in fishing gear during fishing, for example derelict fishing gear and other marine litter, will be included under the definition of waste from ships. No separate fee may be charged in the port for delivering such waste; its delivery will be included in the fee for receiving waste from ships as part of the port dues. This amendment should help prevent the waste caught during commercial fishing from being discarded back into the sea.

Tarmo Kruusimäe (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

Two Bills passed the first reading

The Bill on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia for Changing the Procedure for the Election of the President of the Republic (462 SE), initiated by members of the Riigikogu Jaanus Karilaid, Kersti Sarapuu, Viktor Vassiljev, Peeter Rahnel, Mihhail Stalnuhhin, Dmitri Dmitrijev, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, Marko Šorin, Enn Eesmaa, Aadu Must, Kaido Höövelson, Tarmo Tamm, Jüri Ratas, Oudekki Loone, Siret Kotka, Erki Savisaar, Natalia Malleus, Igor Kravtšenko, Imre Sooäär, Marek Jürgenson, Mihhail Korb, Martin Repinski, Marika Tuus-Laul, Mailis Reps, Martin Helme, Urmas Reitelmann, Leo Kunnas, Uno Kaskpeit, Merry Aart, Peeter Ernits, Riho Breivel, Kert Kingo, Kalle Grünthal, Jaak Valge, Paul Puustusmaa, Alar Laneman, Helle-Moonika Helme, Rene Kokk, Henn Põlluaas, Mart Helme, Anti Poolamets, Siim Pohlak, Ruuben Kaalep, Andrei Korobeinik and Raimond Kaljulaid, provides for the direct election of the President of the Republic. The explanatory memorandum emphasises that the election of the President of the Republic directly by the people meets the expectations of society and gives the people an additional opportunity to participate in making decisions that are important to the nation, thereby bringing people closer to the state.

Jaanus Karilaid (Centre Party), Jaak Valge (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party), Toomas Kivimägi (Reform Party), and Helir-Valdor Seeder (Isamaa) took the floor during the debate.

The Bill on Amendments to the General Part of the Environmental Code Act and Other Acts (repeal of the Environmental Register Act) (441 SE), initiated by the Government, will update the procedure for handling environmental information in state databases.

The Bill repeals the Environmental Register Act. The new procedure corresponds to the way environmental information has actually been collected, i.e., it defines the subordinate information systems of the environmental register as independent data bases. The majority of the lists and data that have so far been in the environmental register are currently collected into the Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS) and they will remain so under the Bill. In the meantime, separate data bases, or information systems independent in terms of information technology have been established with regard to several data bases that so far have also been considered as lists in the environmental register. The Bill provides the obligation to establish a common information technology contact point (web environment) for accessing and interfacing the data bases that contain environmental information insofar as this is possible in terms of information technology and economically viable.

The Bill will amend the General Part of the Environmental Code Act, the Atmospheric Air Protection Act, the Waste Act, the Industrial Emissions Act, and the Water Act by adding provisions on applying for and processing the relevant registration and issuing the registration certificate in the environmental decisions information system KOTKAS.

The amendments to the Forest Act set access restrictions on information on private forest land in the forest register that would allow to estimate the property and economic standing of a forest owner who is a natural person and that is considered personal data in case of natural persons, along with any data that would allow their identification. The Forest Act will also be amended by including a section on the national inventory of forests with the statistical selection method (statistical forest inventory, SFI).

During the debate, Heiki Hepner (Isamaa) took the floor.

The sitting ended at 9.15 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

The video recording of the sitting will be available on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)

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