Overview of the Government of the Republic’s Activities in the Implementation of European Union Policy
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
Date: 2024-11-05 12:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 162
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 3h 11m
AI Summaries: 162/162 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first item on the agenda was an overview of the Republic of Estonia's activities in implementing European Union policy. The presentation was given by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (later from the Parliament’s rostrum), followed by the Chairman of the EU Affairs Committee (of the Parliament). The main objective was to explain how the Estonian government is directing the actions of the European Union: to strengthen European security and defense capabilities, to promote the competitiveness of the European Union’s internal market, and to accelerate aid and expansion towards Ukraine’s victory, while reducing the burden of regulation and bureaucracy. The speeches covered thematic areas: defense capability and defense procurement financing, energy security (including the European energy market and connections between the Baltic states, the implementation of Rail Baltic), the competitiveness of the economy and the economic and social impacts of the green transition; and the roles of cyber and digital technology, e-services, and identity solutions. Emphasis was placed on the fact that Estonia must continue to be actively involved in European Union expansion and policies aimed at Ukraine's victory, and that the European Union must be able to respond to hybrid and migration issues with a unified toolbox. In conclusion, Estonia must maintain a strong, collaborative, and security and competitiveness-strengthening rhythm of work at both the national and European levels. Therefore, the ambitions were for a strong, confident, and effectively functioning European Union, where Estonia’s involvement and representation remain significant from both a security and economic perspective.
Decisions Made 1
The session was extended until the agenda was exhausted, but no longer than 14:00. Based on a statement submitted by the ELAK factions, a decision was made to continue the session and to continue addressing the agenda at the scheduled time. Voting result: 53 in favor, 11 against, 1 abstention.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker in this agenda item is the representative of pidiga pQKBV_fEwKY, whose participation was reflected in several presentations and questions. This identifier’s representative symbolizes close involvement in discussions and a reference point where parliamentary and government cooperation and the handling of European Union affairs (ELAK) are described. Position: other (not directly marked on the left-right political scale as a party) – primarily represents the parliamentary process and a collaborative role in safeguarding the country's interests at the European level.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The aim of the first item on the agenda is to provide an overview of the Government of the Republic's activities in implementing European Union policy, during which the prime minister will have a presentation of up to 30 minutes and the chair of ELAK up to 20 minutes; for each presentation one question may be asked, and negotiations are open to the parliamentary factions.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal urged the European Union at the threshold of historic changes to accelerate action, emphasized helping Ukraine achieve victory, increasing European defence readiness and economic growth, strengthening the internal market and energy security, and continuing Rail Baltica and cross-border projects.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the prime minister and announces that members of the Riigikogu now have the opportunity to ask questions, and asks Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to take the floor.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his speech, the speaker highlighted the National Audit Office's audit, which finds that Estonia's impact analysis is not thorough enough, and at an early stage not enough stakeholders are involved, nor enough attention is paid to Estonian entrepreneurs, people, and the state, and he asked the Prime Minister whether the audit has been reviewed and what improvements are planned.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that he has familiarized himself with the summary of this report and will read the entire report later, praises the National Audit Office's work for its critical insight and thorough assessment of the impacts, emphasizes that Estonia must defend its interests in all lawmaking and legislative drafting processes and in the European Union's lawmaking sphere, and be involved, and is ready to accept more thorough and better proposals, given that the timeframe is often tight, especially in the final stages.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Urmas Kruuse to speak.
Urmas Kruuse
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Kruuse pointed out that although Estonia's agricultural subsidies are about 84% of the European average, there is discussion of the possibility to change the competitiveness-based subsidy mechanisms to be more socially oriented and to increase aid to farmers who have fared less well, and he asked whether such a change would be approved.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that in the Estonian economy competition is a natural and fair playing field for everyone, a level playing field for all, where it is possible to compete; the budget proposal will be presented in the summer of 2025, and the priorities, including agriculture, are clearly addressed, but competition is more important than participation and it aligns with the interests of entrepreneurs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Urve Tiidus to speak.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker discussed the European Union member states' aid to Ukraine and its comparison with Estonia, and asked how likely it is that in the near future other EU partner countries will also significantly increase their support for Ukraine.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the European Union and its partners must help Ukraine strongly so that Russia is forced to reckon with Ukraine's strength, and he stressed that a rules-based world is their yardstick; therefore they provide Ukraine with as much as possible and even more, and also encourage others to do the same.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev noted that although security is clear, Estonia's economy has been in decline for three consecutive years and is the EU's worst-performing country.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Companies and households in Estonia are heavily dependent on export markets, especially the Nordic countries, and the high level of Euribor increases borrowing costs, but the decline in interest rates will bring more money into people's hands in the coming years, while the state maintains tax stability until 2027 and plans cuts and cost coverage to ensure defense and economic security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Kalle Grünthal to perform on stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal asks whether the current global temperature is the highest in history, referring to previous temperature fluctuations and ice ages, and raises the question of how high the average air temperature was in the year 1200 or in the 15th century.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister emphasized that human activity contributes to climate change, affirmed that a clean environment and a well-kept Estonia are Estonia's values, and at the same time urged us to think with compassion of the countries that are fighting the consequences of recent floods.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi invited Andres Sutti to perform.
Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Andres Sutt thanks the prime minister and emphasizes a strong and prudent European vision, whose core is innovation, modern industry, and European defense capability, and asks how many other European leaders share this vision in the first hundred days.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Europe's role in the world must grow, and the European Union should be an independent leader in technology, innovation and science, to develop new capabilities and to use the strengths of its industry during crises, as the COVID crisis showed, and that Europe must compete with the United States and China and invest in the development of defense and competitiveness, which is the central objective of a new five-year strategic agenda.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Rain Epler to perform on stage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks whether Estonia's long-term reliability of its electricity supply and price competitiveness are seriously guaranteed, because the optimistic tone about supply security and the energy shortage associated with disruptions to the Sõrve connection and to foreign connections raise concerns.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks what the government's plan for electric energy is.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia's security of supply is guaranteed, and to lower energy prices new capacities (solar, wind, storage) are being developed and connections expanded, including the construction of the largest battery park in mainland Europe in cooperation between Estonia and France.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Tõnis Lukas to give a speech.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas emphasizes that EU directives are closely linked to domestic legislation, and the coalition is trying to reduce bureaucracy by replacing old regulations with new ones, and asks whether this aim has been achieved and whether bureaucracy has been slowed down.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that bureaucracy must be reduced at all levels of government, giving the example of the simplification of borehole drilling, and calling on entrepreneurs and other interested parties to share practical proposals for cooperation with the ministers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Igor Tarot.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro emphasizes the balance between climate targets, competitiveness, and social justice, as well as solving the dilemma between the development of technologies and biodiversity, asking how to move forward in a way that we do not harm our competitiveness compared to those countries that have to put in a greater effort.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia is trying to balance climate policy and economic growth and believes they are not mutually exclusive, and that new technologies and investments can bring a cleaner economy and higher value-added production, but the energy sector has a large footprint, and in forestry, agriculture, and transport there is more work to be done to achieve the goals for a cleaner world that will bring economic growth and people's well-being.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short prayer for Lauri Laats to come on stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks how the problems of implementing the European Union cohesion policy funding have been resolved, because for the 2014–2020 period 300 million euros have remained unused, and for the 2021–2027 period only 48 million of the 3.7 billion euros have been used, and what is the current status of this situation.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that as of November 1 the European Union's 2021–2027 structural funds total budget stood at 3.34 billion euros, of which 59%—about 2 billion euros—are under commitments and 250 million euros have been paid out, and in the next six months about 270 million euros are expected to be added to accelerate disbursements and the implementation of new projects, although the pace is slower due to crises, and Estonia ranks sixth among member states in terms of disbursements.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invited Vladimir Arhipov to the tribune.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asked how, through administrative simplification, Estonia and other member states could use EU support funds more quickly and efficiently, referring to the limited uptake of the apartment-building reconstruction grant, and how to further improve this measure so that the money would not remain unused and would not be returned to the European Union.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the European Commission is working to simplify the budget and reduce the number of programs, and the same should be done in Estonia as well. In the case of housing renovations, he emphasized long-term, stable funding that enables entrepreneurs to plan, and he urged sharing proposals for simplification that they listen to and support.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Arvo Allerit to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The main point of Arvo Aller’s speech was to emphasize the importance of reducing bureaucracy. He mentioned six theses at ELAK and asked how large Estonia’s share of the Rail Baltica €1.2 billion project is, both in percentage terms and in monetary terms.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that there are reports and data available to Parliament about Rail Baltica, and the cost estimate for the Estonian section of the route is 3.1 billion euros, for Latvia 6.4 billion and for Lithuania 5.4 billion euros by 2030, and construction should be organized in phases, tenders should be announced quickly, and the scope of local stops and terminals should be reviewed so that an early start and partial construction would be cheaper. This year more than 200 million euros of additional funding were allocated for Rail Baltica, and external funding is large, so every euro used from external financing is positive for our budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Mart Maastik to come and speak.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik says that climate goals are more important to him than economic growth, referring to Sweden's defense considerations as a reason to restrict offshore wind farms, and he poses two questions: whether Estonia is considering abandoning the construction of offshore wind farms, and how large anthropogenic CO2 emissions are (if 0.03% of the CO2 in the atmosphere is correct).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They thank.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik asks how much of this is man-made.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized that Estonia must develop new technologies and more affordable, cleaner energy, and view nature protection and economic development issues together, rather than artificially opposing them, because clean energy and higher value-added production go hand in hand.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Estonia actively participates in the EU's raw materials working groups and has compiled lists of strategic raw materials, including phosphorite, to identify risks and manage availability, and asks what developments have taken place and whether the establishment of a European Union decision-making body is envisaged in this field.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, Evelin Poolamets was invited onto the stage.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia makes its own decisions about mineral resources; the exploration will be conducted under state oversight and competence, and by the end of 2025 the results will be made public, on the basis of which a decision will be taken in a parliamentary debate on whether the reserves are usable or should be removed from the active reserves list.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik asks the prime minister about Moldova and Georgia whether the European Union should more assertively carry out its propaganda to counter Russia's influence operations.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Tanel Kiik to speak.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized that the European Union must be able to defend itself against Russia's hybrid activities, including attempts to influence and steer, and to strengthen the fight against disinformation, and to emphasize the European Union's values so that every person can decide independently and critically in elections and in other roles.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invited Priit Sibul to speak.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul complains about excessive bureaucracy, stresses the importance of European competitiveness, and the faster realization of climate and green initiatives in China, and asks whether amending Estonia's Competition Act to accommodate the extra bureaucracy that comes with EU directives is a sensible move.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Kristen Michal said that Estonia's competition supervision must be as effective as possible, and that the Competition Authority must act actively and without delay to protect consumers' interests, while taking into account both China’s and the European Union’s production environmental objectives.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Aleksandr Chaplygin to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This speech criticizes adherence to Brussels' directives and says that Estonia, in the name of a green action plan, has decided to stop using oil shale energy, while Germany and Poland are developing their coal energy, and asks why Estonia does not defend its national interests.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that we protect our national interests and we will make technology cleaner, so that the life expectancy of children born in Ida-Viru County would not be five years shorter than the life expectancy of children born in Tartu and Tallinn, but not for Brussels.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Jüri Jaanson to come onto the stage.
Jüri Jaanson
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker emphasizes that the war in Ukraine is one of the most important factors shaping EU policy, and according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's conclusion, Russia's victory could bring Germany up to 20 times greater influence than the current support for Ukraine, and he asks whether this could be expected to lead to a greater increase in support for Ukraine from European countries.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
I hope that the same reports and assessments are read with the same thoroughness in all countries, and that delaying addressing the problems ends up costing more in the end, and that Germany takes the results of the same study into account in its policy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge emphasizes that Europe and the European Union are not the same thing, criticizes the ideas for revitalizing the EU's defense industry, and asserts that the eurozone artificially binds the countries together and slows their economic potential, which leaves Europe less competitive against the US and China.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the eurozone's problem is not money, but the lack of unity and a digital regulatory framework, and Estonia wants a functioning single market with digital data exchange and only a few harmonized rules, which would give competitiveness to entrepreneurs in small states.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This speech is simply a plea directed at Hele Everaus.
Hele Everaus
AI Summary
The speaker, Hele Everaus, pointed out that there is a large inequality in healthcare in the European Union, which costs about 980 million euros per year and causes about 700,000 deaths, and that in Estonia treatment-avoidable mortality is among the highest in the European Union, reflecting differences in accessibility and quality, and asking how to ensure equal opportunities for people across the Union, bearing in mind that the arrangement is within the competence of the member states.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister pointed out that Estonia has a unified consensus on the EU pharmaceutical package and that medicines must reach all markets, but internal health-care funding problems—the deficit in the Estonian Health Insurance Fund's budget and the fluctuations in the aging population and social tax revenues—require reforms, on the subject of which a mandate may be sought in 2027, while at the same time continuing the transition to Estonian-language education and paying attention to the priorities of taxes, the economy, finance, and health care.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes Imeline Teadus as a children's magazine and states that Europe faces two major challenges, the first of which is the unrealistic 2030 target for the green transition, which threatens Europe’s competitiveness, economy and demographics and increases dependence on external sources, since fossil fuels are cheap unless they are made expensive by a CO2 tax.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme says that this is not taking place at her initiative, but is related to a security coup.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech briefly expresses gratitude to a good colleague.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asks how Europe could simultaneously tackle the green transition and security, and do so effectively.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Europe can ensure its energy supply cheaply and securely by using new technologies that are resilient to any threats, and that cheap and clean energy is the future that will strengthen the economy and security, and two things do not exclude each other — they go hand in hand.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Andres Metsoja to come forward.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The briefing highlights the importance of member states fulfilling their obligations and the potential of infringement procedures and contractual penalties, references the problems of Natura sites and impact assessment, and the need for reform of waste recycling, and finally asks how likely sanctions are to be applied and whether Estonia appears in Europe’s eyes more as "pailapsed" or on the blacklist.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that there are currently two court rulings pending in Estonia, and the state is taking the necessary steps for the upcoming periods on LULUCF and waste issues in order to minimize damage, and Parliament is dealing with it — we are moving in the right direction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, invites Aivar Kokk onto the stage.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk expresses concern about energy prices for Estonia's economy and its people, notes that compared with 2020 prices have on average risen by more than twofold, and asks whether, first, the connection with Sweden should be discussed to obtain cheap energy and only then the Latvia connection, referring to the price increase that occurred in 2021 when the third high-voltage line was connected with Latvia.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi expressed gratitude to a good colleague.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk asks which one we should decide on before making the investment.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
In order for Estonia's energy price to fall, production and interconnections (primarily with the Nordic countries) must be increased, solar and wind energy and energy storage must be promoted, the deployment of nuclear power must be considered, and regulatory charges must be reviewed so that the price is competitive for businesses.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, asked Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid notes that Indrek Neivelt highlighted a demographically poor situation and insufficient government action, but at the same time emphasizes the importance of the green transition, and the Riigikogu has adopted a 100% renewable energy target, which exceeds the EU's 42.5% target, and he asks why such ambitious goals are set when Estonia's industry and economic growth may be less competitive.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the Estonian economy depends on the Nordic markets and changes in exchange rates, and the outlook is for sluggish growth, but at the same time it is necessary to ensure the availability of clean and affordable energy for businesses and exports, and demographic trends and family well-being are not opposing goals, but their balance will ensure sustainable development.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invites Anti Haugas to take the floor.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas emphasized that Estonia's tax environment is the most competitive in Europe and posed the question about ideas and examples of how to transfer Estonia's tax knowledge base across Europe so that, together with Estonia, it would elevate the European Union's entire tax system.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that in European competition we must be strong and attract here, and when it comes to taxes there should be a simple, unified and as low as possible level of taxation, because the tax arrangements in the Union are harmonised and each country makes its own decision, but the challenges, including the needs arising from the war, require adjusting tax policy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is simply a request to invite Siim Pohlak to perform.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak highlighted the issue of the European Union's internal and external border controls, noting that countries such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, as well as several others, are following Hungary's example, and asked whether Estonia plans to strengthen border control on the land border toward Latvia and Sweden, and to obtain an overview of the movement of migrants.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The most important thing is that internal border control is not the goal, but the goal is external border control and the joint distribution of the migration burden among European states, while responding to Russia's instrumentalization of migration, showing solidarity with Poland, and reviewing the European Union's migration rules so that no one abuses the space of values.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed, in the context of the European Union summit taking place in Budapest, that after the United States presidential elections it is important in Estonia to articulate its views and to initiate active European leadership to strengthen the transatlantic relationship, focusing on economic rivalry, tensions over tariff issues, security and other strategic solutions, and to present concrete ideas that Europe could put at the center after this.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister confirmed that a new chapter in our relations with the United States must be opened, and the United States will remain our largest partner in safeguarding security as well as the rules-based international order, and an important partner for the European Union in politics and the economy.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker thanked the prime minister and colleagues for the constructive treatment of the topic, noted that the agenda item is halfway through, and invited everyone to listen to the leading committee's positions and emphases, and asked Peeter Tali, as chair of the Riigikogu's Committee on European Union Affairs, to present it.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stressed that the Riigikogu's Committee on European Union Affairs (ELAK) shapes Estonia's positions on European Union initiatives, protecting our vital interests, reducing unnecessary regulation, and increasing transparency and inclusivity in the lawmaking process, while emphasising support for Ukraine, boosting European defence readiness, and the importance of enlargement and connectivity, including Rail Baltica and Via Baltica, and he called for greater public participation and early cooperation with stakeholders so that Estonia would be strong and noteworthy at the European level.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice chair thanks everyone, invites questions and asks Tõnis Lukas to take the floor.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas said that, although Europe is at war, we must focus on peacetime core activities, and he asked how the coalition plans to reduce bureaucracy and, with the emergence of each new regulation, cancel some other one, and how the Commission will handle this within the framework of the transposition.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stated that bureaucracy must be reduced by 25 percent and the ambition to repeal regulations should be increased, where ELAK asks officials whether everything is necessary and what can be eliminated, and it shows that the officials' mindset is changing and that the focus must be solely on vital interests.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short request to invite Aivar Kokk to speak.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Speaker Aivar Kokk emphasized the importance of Rail Baltica and Pärnu Airport, highlighted the funding issue, and asked whether the Commission, as its head, is seriously pursuing the realisation of the 2+2 highway project leading to Tallinn by 2030 via Pärnu, Tartu and Narva.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanked the audience.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk said that these roads could be built, and the state budget states that this is the goal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They thank a good colleague and assure that everything will be settled through negotiations.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The number of road traffic accidents has increased, but in the state budget these funds have decreased — what will happen then?
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali confirmed that Estonia is building a 2+2 road to Ikla and expanding the Via Baltica in order to create a north–south corridor with both a road and rail connection to Latvia and Lithuania, for which funding has been obtained from the European Union's Military Mobility Fund.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga is invited to speak.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga thanks the director and the chairman of ELAK and asks whether the Committee on EU Affairs could increase direct dialogue with EU institutions, primarily with the European Parliament and the European Commission, not only with the ministries, taking into account that the new Parliament and the new Commission have started work.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali said that this is a very good plan and that it will be put into practice after the new Commission takes office, emphasizing the roles of the former Lithuanian prime minister Andrius Kubilius, Piotr Serafin of Poland, Henna Virkkunen of Finland, and our own Kaja Kallas, and the need to work closely with the parliaments of Spain, Italy, France and Germany and to organize a visit to Brussels at the beginning of the year.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Mart Maastik to come.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik thanked the chair and said that the economy is in a bleak state, that EU directives may be advisory, but they are adopted and over-implemented, and he reminded everyone of the promise to reduce bureaucracy at ELAK by at least 25% and asked for examples of what has been done.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali said at ELAK that with regard to new regulations, two regulations should be thrown into the trash to reduce bureaucracy and overlaps, and ELAK would consolidate the commissions' positions while building a bloc of allies and an international interparliamentary network toward the Nordic countries (excluding Norway and Iceland), Poland and Germany.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, Kalle Grünthal is invited onto the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal says that according to the constitution, the Riigikogu, the unicameral parliament, should adopt international treaties and directives, but he has seen that ELAK and the government make decisions on their ratification—for example, regarding a directive regulating tobacco products, whose decision was already made in 2013—and he asks how this is possible and whether the Estonian parliament has become bicameral.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali stated that the Estonian Constitution is being followed precisely; the Riigikogu decides which European regulations we adopt and how, a portion of the decision-making authority is delegated to ELAK, and there they discuss the opinions of all parties and commissions with the aim of finding a consensus; and if this is not achieved, a vote is held in accordance with the constitutional requirements; he added that he has not led ELAK for years, but for less than half a year.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Kalle Grünthal poses a question to the chair of the meeting.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asked whether the Estonian parliament has become bicameral and whether the Committee on European Affairs has the right to take over directives to which the plenary parliament has not approved, referring to possible constitutional amendments that would grant this authority to a 14-member committee.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The chair of the session said that it is not appropriate to decide at this time whether this is a unicameral or bicameral system, and noted that ELAK has 17 members, and the rapporteur gave an overview of the committee's work, which cannot at present be treated as the Parliament's second chamber.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme claims that Hungary is not Kremlin-friendly and has helped Ukraine, and has gone against the grain in demographic and immigration policy, whereas in the European Union double standards are seen with regard to Russia's trade and labor.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The message of the speech is that now is your time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker discusses how this statement could keep the relations between our countries positive, and also in other European Union countries.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a reminder that now is your time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They ask for an explanation as to why the Riigikogu's podium is being used to turn another European Union country into an enemy.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali called the Hungarian presidency a disappointment, described Orbán's meetings with Putin and Xi and the visit to Georgia as a choice not to meet with the European Union institutions, and promised the Hungarians that he would say directly and honestly what he dislikes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Priit Sibul to take the floor.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul asks Peeter which one or two of the most important initiatives in the last six months have helped Europe move forward in global competition, and that they would not be related to inter-state barriers or to distribution.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali highlighted market distortions, stressed the need to protect European industry, and supported tariffs on Chinese cars, noting at the same time that dependence on China and its practices – theft or borrowing of intellectual property, non-compliance with environmental requirements, lack of trade unions and forced labour – require swift steps to improve competitiveness, starting with a small step in the form of tariffs.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme defends Viktor Orbán and his country from staying out of war, condemns the slander against him and the accusation that he is Putin's henchman, and says that American and Western hegemonies have fallen, calling for reason and diplomacy.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller turned to Mart Helme and said: "Mart Helme, please!"
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller emphasizes that now is your time to act.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme says that this is not about earning propaganda points and knee-capping, and he thanks the seed-sowing volunteers.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali said that he does not share Mart Helme's views and stressed that Estonia does not support ceding territories to Russia, nor the idea that Estonia could be an oblast of Russia, but rather stands as a member of the European Union and as a NATO ally for freedom and fights for it, and Helme's remarks are completely inappropriate here.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech is a short plea to Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu posed a two-part question: firstly, what is the rationale for a 45% tariff on Chinese electric cars, while Estonia at the same time pays a €6,000 subsidy for their purchase; and secondly, whether it is feasible to reduce European Union bureaucracy and, if necessary, roll back the EU law that has come into force, in order to improve Estonia's and Europe's competitiveness, based on a sufficiently weighted agreement among the member states.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Tali emphasized that a return is possible only with political agreement and the support of allies within the EU, and currently a network is being built that must be expanded and brought into a larger chamber for discussion by the Commission, and the topic of Chinese cars should also be discussed, which creates cognitive dissonance.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Arvo Aller, announced that the Reform Party faction had submitted an application to extend the plenary session until the agenda is exhausted, but no later than 14:00, and asked them to take a stance and to vote.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The proposal received 53 votes in favor, 11 against and 1 abstention, and found support; negotiations begin now and the factions will have the floor. On behalf of the Isamaa faction, Urmas Reinsalu requests three more minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu urged Estonia to adopt a clear, proactive and strong course in EU and transatlantic cooperation: to defend Ukraine and support a victory plan, to effectively sanction Russia's aggression, to use the EU's structural funds for investments in national defense, and to reduce bureaucracy, while at the same time boosting Europe’s competitiveness and clearly planning cooperation with the United States.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
On behalf of the EKRE faction, Anti Poolamets speaks and requests three minutes of extra time.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets criticizes the European Union's federalization and censorship, accuses it of corrupting and calls for Estonia to have more of a nation-state orientation and less of a federalist direction, while also raising the risks of the green transition and the extraction of mineral resources, and calling for oversight on the matter of aid to Ukraine.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Tiit Maran will speak next on behalf of the faction.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They are asking for three more minutes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech seeks three minutes of extra time.
Tiit Maran
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tiit Maran emphasised that for Estonia it is important that the European Union be united and strong, to increase defense capability and cooperation with Ukraine and to develop the economy for competitiveness, coordinating this with the needs of the environment, biodiversity and the social system, because the solution to the Ukraine war can only be Ukraine's victory.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov represents the Estonian Centre Party's parliamentary faction.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Vladimir Arhipov, Estonia places emphasis in its European Union policy on digital development and cybersecurity, climate-change-related measures, and regional development, but stresses the need to avoid excessive bureaucracy and regulation and to ensure the protection of democracy, the rule of law, and the sovereignty of the member states.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller asks whether additional time is desired.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov's speech is merely an affirmative reply: yes.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is an extremely short speech consisting of only two words: "How much?" and "Minute?", and it refers to time.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech was very short and lasted one minute.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks for one more minute.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov stressed that Estonia makes constructive proposals and offers solutions that help member states act efficiently without excessive administrative burden, and stresses balanced cooperation and mutual trust to address the European Union's contemporary challenges, strengthen a common future, and stand up for European values.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga, on behalf of the Reform Party faction, asked for three minutes of extra time.
Kristo Enn Vaga
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kristo Enn Vaga emphasized that Estonia has, over the past 20 years in the European Union, grown into one of the most active members, and that defense readiness should be increased and the defense industry developed, that the EU budget should be strengthened and defense bonds used, while at the same time continuing to support the enlargement of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans and implementing the necessary measures against Russian aggression, and he affirmed that Europe is us and that we will contribute to building a competitive, secure and innovative Union.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asks that Igor Taro represent the Eesti 200 faction in Parliament.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Estonia 200 emphasizes that the European Union has been a successful peace and security policy project, and should actively support Ukraine and the EU’s enlargement toward Moldova and Ukraine and Georgia, while focusing on promoting digital administration and digitization and major projects, and weighing a north-south railway link and the joint development of energy security, in order to ensure economic growth and stability.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks for three more minutes.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro said that to reduce bureaucratic burden, when transposing directives one should prefer simple and minimal regulation, citing the transposition of the Competition Directive and the topic of the hate-speech law as examples, emphasized Estonia's strong environmental position, and warns against overdoing it in the EU by taking large shares of regulation, and calls on the Riigikogu and sectoral committees to devote more time and involve more stakeholders in order to better process the EU's legal order.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller declared the speeches of the factions finished and invited the prime minister to take the floor.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal thanked all participants and emphasized that the debate is very important, and if there are comments in the future, they will be heard and people can take part, because the drafters of European Union law and those who make its rules sit in this chamber, and he corrects one mistake by saying that the government has decided to procure additional ammunition worth 1.6 billion euros, the procurements of which will be carried out by the defence minister at the earliest opportunity, and the Ministry of Defense will allocate them for the 2025–2031 period by year, since these are not the same missiles and they must be carefully planned and procured.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu answered, saying that you were mentioned.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stressed that Isamaa has for years demanded the immediate procurement of ammunition, and the 2025–2028 budget strategy must align with NATO metrics, but the additional funds are only 350 million euros, and words and deeds must go hand in hand, because time and price have risen.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chair Arvo Aller thanks everyone, closes the negotiations and announces that today's first item on the agenda has been completed.