Estonian-Georgian relations

Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing

Date: 2024-06-05 15:02

Total Speeches: 13

Membership: 15

Agenda Duration: 16m

AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)

Analysis: Structured Analysis

Politicians Speaking Time

Politicians

Analysis

Summary

The Riigikogu session began with a procedural question regarding the whereabouts of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, to which it was answered that she was on a foreign visit to Norway. Discussion then moved to the question raised by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (acting as Prime Minister) and Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev concerning Estonia-Georgia relations, which focused on Tsahkna’s participation in an anti-government demonstration in Tbilisi on May 15.

Belobrovtsev (pid: TqT5YjnBr0U) asked whether the Foreign Minister’s conduct, where he joined and spoke at an anti-government demonstration, was appropriate and whether it did not constitute interference in Georgia’s internal affairs. Tsahkna defended his actions, explaining that it was a joint visit by the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Iceland, necessitated by the Georgian government’s significant deviation from the promises given to the European Union, especially concerning the adoption of the so-called foreign agents law. Tsahkna emphasized that the Georgian government had spread misinformation, suggesting that EU ministers supported their actions, which is why a public appearance at the demonstration was the only possible step to support the Georgian people's pro-European direction and refute the falsehood. Lauri Laats (pid: dCJrTlUxNYA) accused Tsahkna of exceeding his diplomatic mandate and rendering the Estonian government untrustworthy. Tsahkna responded that the situation in Georgia is a broader European Union issue and mentioned that the EU and the USA are considering sanctions against the Georgian government, affirming that his actions were correct and necessary.

Decisions Made 1
Collective Decision

Decisions were not made

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:02:04
AI Summary

Chairman Hussar opened the session, informing the attendees that the first item on the agenda concerned Estonian–Georgian relations, and a procedural matter was addressed before the substance of the discussion began.

Kalle Grünthal
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmed
15:02:35
AI Summary

Grünthal stated that Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna is performing the duties of the Prime Minister today, and asked where Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is and why she is not present today.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:02:53
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Kaja Kallas is currently abroad and Margus Tsahkna is performing the duties of the prime minister, and the first question in the Riigikogu will be presented by Riigikogu member Vadim Belobrovtsev concerning Estonian-Georgian relations.

Vadim Belobrovtsev
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioon
15:03:17
AI Summary

Belobrovtsev asks about the events that took place in Tbilisi, questioning whether the minister's conduct was appropriate or amounted to interference in Georgia's internal affairs. He emphasizes Georgia's long-standing friendship and strategic relationship for Estonia, and notes that this was apparently one minister's uncoordinated personal solo performance.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:05:20
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar specified that Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is currently en route to a foreign visit in Poland, and is now giving the floor to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who is serving as Acting Prime Minister.

Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
15:05:39
AI Summary

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Iceland conducted a joint visit to Georgia to stress the importance of Georgia fulfilling its commitments and continuing its movement toward the European Union and NATO. However, he noted that the recently adopted foreign agents law and the violation of agreements suggest that Georgia is moving into Russia's sphere of influence, which has provoked public protests. He concluded by stressing that Georgia's rightful place is within the European Union.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:08:29
AI Summary

The chairman clarified that the prime minister was traveling to Norway for the visit, not Poland, since "Norway" and "Poland" sounded similar and he had misheard.

Vadim Belobrovtsev
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioon
15:09:00
AI Summary

Vadim Belobrovtsev expresses his gratitude and emphasizes that, regardless of the disagreements surrounding the draft law, Georgia's path to the European Union is a matter of shared, fundamental importance. He then asks whether the Estonian Foreign Minister’s participation in an anti-government demonstration was appropriate, and how we should view the involvement of a foreign country's minister in similar situations taking place in Estonia.

Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
15:10:47
AI Summary

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Lithuania, and Iceland was the only possible step in a broader foreign policy course change, which emphasizes the fulfillment of commitments made to the European Union and responds to the false information disseminated regarding the situation in Georgia.

Lauri Laats
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioon
15:13:50
AI Summary

Lauri Laats expresses strong concern over relations between Estonia and Georgia, accusing the current government of employing falsehoods and overstepping its authority. He emphasizes that Estonia’s approach to the Georgian issue should be guided by diplomacy, not by taking a stand on the barricades, in order to prevent a deep rift from forming between the two nations.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:13:50
AI Summary

Lauri Laats asked a follow-up question.

Välisminister Margus Tsahkna
15:15:54
AI Summary

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna confirmed that the sanctions being considered due to the Georgian government's breach of commitments, along with the issues surrounding candidate membership, constitute the only correct step and are part of a wider European Union foreign policy matter. He also invited members of the Riigikogu to visit Georgia to see the situation firsthand.

Esimees Lauri Hussar
15:18:59
AI Summary

Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's first item.