The Riigikogu passed the Foreign Relations Act
The Foreign Relations Act (365 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 73 votes in favour (1 abstention). The Act specifies the competence of institutions participating in foreign relations, the conclusion of foreign agreements and other issues pertaining to foreign relations of the Republic of Estonia. The Act specifies the state preparations for foreign agreements, and coordinates and harmonises foreign relations. The Act does not involve any substantial changes in the work of government agencies, instead the changes are rather of formal nature. The new Act clarifies the designations of the Riigikogu ratification acts. The same applies to the signing of contractual instruments. The legislative proceeding for the preparation of foreign agreements, stipulated by the Act, gives clear instructions to the relevant agencies for preparing foreign agreements and defining the rights and obligations of different agencies. As a result of the above, the preparation of foreign agreements becomes considerably more efficient and high-standard.
The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of three Bills:
The Bill on Amendments to the Privatisation of Dwellings Act and to Other Acts Arising Therefrom (856 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on Amendments to the Competition Act and to Other Acts Arising Therefrom (854 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Foreign Service Bill (732 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
On the motion of the leading committee, the Riigikogu suspended the second reading of the Advertising Bill (717 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of two Bills:
The Bill on the Accession to the 2001 International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (877 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic;
The Bill on the Ratification of the Agreement 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 (873 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.
At Question Time Prime Minister Andrus Ansip answered the questions about internal security, Eesti Raudtee, national priorities, hypocrisy and Euro. Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Edgar Savisaar answered the questions about the road between Tallinnn and Tartu. Minister of Internal Affairs Kalle Laanet answered the question about the security of citizens.
The Riigikogu Press Service