Minister of Agriculture made a political statement

Minister of Agriculture Ester Tuiksoo made a political statement at the beginning of the Riigikogu sitting in connection with Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture Rain Vändre’s commencing his work and the changes taking place in the Ministry. Mrs. Tuiksoo justified the position of the assistant minister in connection with a considerable increase in work load of the Ministry of Agriculture after the accession to the European Union and in connection with the preparation of a new rural life development strategy, as well as the fishery development strategy of for the period of 2007-2013, and their further implementation. The main spheres of activities of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture are fishing industry and the development and organisation of the rural life policy.

The Riigikogu passed three Acts:

The Riigikogu passed with 70 votes in favour the Citizen of the European Union Act (864 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act ensures the citizens of the European Union and the members of their families the freedom of movement. It means that each citizen and his/her family members have the primary and individual right to freely move and live on the territory of any Member State of the European Union, taking into account valid restrictions and conditions. In order for the citizens of the European Union to use the named right respecting the objective conditions of freedom and dignity, the European Union Directive provides this right also to the family members of the citizens of the European Union, regardless of the citizenship of these family members. The Act establishes the legal bases for the stay and life of a citizen of the European Union and his/her family members in Estonia, proceeding from the principles established by the Directive of the EU, in order to improve the efficiency of the practical importance of the EU citizenship through the implementation of the Directive.

The Riigikogu passed with 65 votes in favour the Restrictions on Acquisitions of Immovables Act Amendment Act (874 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, which simplifies and clarifies beyond the possibility of misinterpreting the implementation of the Act for the benefit of notaries, local government councils and county governors, as well as to the persons subject to the application of the Act.

The Act on the Ratification of the Convention between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and the Protocol thereto (873SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 57 votes in favour. The purpose of agreements for the avoidance of double taxation is to favour investments, to ensure equal treatment of persons and to eliminate double taxation, which may occur as a result of joint influence of the relevant Acts of two states. For the achievement of these purposes, the agreement imposes restrictions on income and property taxes, which may be established to the residents of the other state by the state of the source of income. The Agreement also contributes to the creation of additional possibilities for the prevention of tax evasions. Estonia has already concluded the agreements for the avoidance of double taxation with Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Iceland, Czechia, Canada, Ukraine, Germany, Belarus, Netherlands, Italy, France, Ireland, United States of America, Moldova, China, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Austria, Armenia, Malta, Croatia, Switzerland, Hungary, Portugal, Turkey, Spain and Romania.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of two Bills: 

The Bill on Amendments to the Income Tax Act, Social Tax Act, Gambling Tax Act and Credit Institutions Act (863 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic; The Social Democratic Party Faction moved to suspend the second reading of the Bill. The motion was not supported. The result of voting: 10 votes in favour, 40 against.

The Bill on Amendments to the Copyright Act (866 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of five Bills:

The Bill on the Repeal of § 7(3) of the Republic of Estonia Principles of Ownership Act (830 SE), initiated by the Res Publica Faction;

The Bill on Amendments to the Local Government Council Election Act and Penal Code (868 SE), initiated by the Constitutional Committee;

The Estonian Development Fund Bill (861 SE), initiated by the Isamaaliit Faction;

The Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu On the Use of the Estonian Defence Forces Unit in Performance of International Duties of the Estonian State in the Membership of the NATO Response Forces (887 OE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;

The Bill on Amendments to the Health Care Services Organisation Act, State Fees Act and Imprisonment Act (886 SE) initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The first reading of the Bill on Amendments to § 42 (4) of the Medicinal Products Act (827 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, Estonian Centre Party Faction and Estonian People’s Union Faction, was cancelled due to the absence of the reporter.

The Riigikogu did not pass the Bill on Amendments to the Electronic Communications Act, Information Society Services Act, Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (800 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The result of voting: 50 votes in favour, 20 against. At least 51 votes in favour were needed for the passage of the Bill.

At Question Time Minister of Finance Aivar Sõerd answered the questions about the state budget, the financing of the public sector and inflation. Minister of Social Affairs Jaak Aab answered the questions about the financing of subsistence benefits and rehabilitation services. Minister of Justice Rein Lang answered the questions about the subjects concerning the areas of government of the Ministry.

The Riigikogu Press Service