At today’s sitting, Prime Minister Kristen Michal gave the Riigikogu an overview of the activities of the Government in implementing the European Union policy. Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali also made a report.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal’s speech focused on European security and economy at a time when increasing global challenges were threatening Europe. Michal underlined that it was necessary to help Ukraine to victory, to boost Europe’s defence readiness and to improve productivity and competitive edge.

“All this requires hard choices, political courage, and unity,” Michal said. “The aim of the Estonian government’s European Union policy is to make sure that Europe is strong and confident in its actions and credible as a partner,” he added. The Prime Minister pointed out that, no matter who would be elected the US president that day, the US remained the most important political and economic partner for Europe.

Michal admitted that it was no longer possible to talk about the European Union without also talking about Ukraine. “The outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine will determine the future of Europe. Therefore, the government’s central tenet in regard to foreign and security policy in the EU is to support Ukraine until victory,” he said. He noted that Estonia supported the victory plan presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also discussed the need to increase the competitiveness of the Estonian and European economy. According to him, Estonia prioritises four main objectives in this: an uncomplicated and efficient business environment on the internal market, a level playing field for businesses, the development of clean technologies, and cross-border infrastructure which is indispensable for the functioning of the single market.

Michal also pointed out that Estonia’s priority with the other Baltic countries continued to be securing funding for Rail Baltic, the construction of cross-border energy connections, strengthening the external borders of the European Union and supporting European defence readiness and defence industry. According to him, alongside defence readiness, we also need to raise the level of crisis preparedness across Europe.

“I would like to thank the Riigikogu for keeping up with the pace of EU negotiations and thus giving the government opportunities to intervene at the right moments to protect Estonia’s interests. I would also like to highlight the use of public debates in the European Union Affairs Committee, which helps raise the sense of ownership among Estonians regarding EU decisions,” Michal said.

The Prime Minister said in conclusion that Europe’s strength lied in our unity and our ability to work together and that overcoming challenges solely depended on our collective will and determination.

Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Peeter Tali gave an overview of the work of the European Union Affairs Committee. He highlighted the responsibility of the committee to decide on European affairs on behalf of the Riigikogu, cooperating with sectoral standing committees when shaping positions.

According to Tali, the aim of the committee is to ensure that Estonian interests are represented in Europe and to try to reduce the bureaucracy that could burden Estonian business and the public sector. The Committee also considers it important to take the EU related topics to as many Estonian people as possible which is why the committee has organised 11 public discussions during the year.

He said that while the purpose of the European Union rules was to strengthen the common market, it also aligned with Estonia’s vital interests in Europe. “Accession to the EU 20 years ago gave our businesses access to common market, which has now grown to almost half a billion consumers. This accession has encouraged export growth and brought foreign investments to Estonia.”

Tali stressed that the Committee was actively cooperating with other national parliaments and representatives of European Union member states in order to coordinate activities and strengthen the protection of the interests of the Baltic region. Tali pointed out that the Committee had been active in supporting Ukraine and emphasized the need to strengthen Europe’s defence capability and cooperate in protecting the external border.

He also stressed the need to continue work in establishing interconnections in Europe, in particular in the development of the North-South connection, which is important both economically and in terms of security policy. He also emphasized that the completion of Rail Baltic was important for Estonia and the Baltic region both in view of security, economic union and a sustainable future.

Tali pointed out that the European Parliament elections had ushered in a new cycle in Europe and the European Union Affairs Committee was planning a closer cooperation with the Estonian MEPs and the new European Commissioners in order to proceed pro-actively in key fields and to exert influence over the European decision-making processes as early as possible.

During the debate, Urmas Reinsalu took the floor on behalf of Isamaa Parliamentary Group, Anti Poolamets on behalf of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party Group, Tiit Maran on behalf of the Social Democratic Party Group, Vladimir Arhipov on behalf of the Centre Party Group, Kristo Enn Vaga on behalf of the Reform Party Group and Igor Taro on behalf of the Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group. Prime Minister Kristen Michal also participated in the debate.

The deliberation of a Bill was adjourned

The first reading of the Bill on the Repeal of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act (488 SE), initiated by Isamaa Parliamentary Group, was adjourned due to the end of the working hours of the plenary sitting of the Riigikogu. The Bill is intended to repeal the Motor Vehicle Tax Act in order to preclude the entry into force of the motor vehicle tax at the beginning of next year. According to the initiators, the implementation of the tax would worsen the economic security of Estonian people and the competitiveness of companies.

The deliberation of the Bill will continue tomorrow, at the sitting beginning at 2 p.m.

Photos (Erik Peinar / Chancellery of the Riigikogu)

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
[email protected]
Questions: [email protected]