First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu, "Extension of the term of use of the Defence Forces in the performance of Estonia's international obligations in an international military operation Inherent Resolve" (477 OE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-11-06 19:25
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 18
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 23m
AI Summaries: 18/18 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The presentation’s main point concerns the draft resolution 477 submitted by the Government to the Riigikogu, the purpose of which is to extend the period of use of the Defence Forces in the international military operation Inherent Resolve. According to the draft, Estonia will continue to participate in Erbil, in northern Iraq, coordinated under the leadership of the USA, and for next year, participation is tentatively planned with up to a maximum of 110 Defence Forces personnel. The basis for the Minister’s presentation is the need to ensure Estonia’s security through 360-degree international cooperation and participation in the international fight against terrorism. At the same time, it was emphasized that the geography of the operations and legal questions must be handled strictly within the context of states’ sovereignty and international law, including the Iraqi government and the potential question of Syrian borders and authority there. The timeline included the necessary clarification: next year's participation may take place with a reduced company (approximately 84–85 Defence Forces personnel), and regarding 2026, there is no plan to continue the operation if decisions made in the US administration remain as they are. In addition, emphasis was placed on strengthening NATO and allied relationships and feedback from joint sessions of foreign affairs committees.
Decisions Made 1
The Defence Committee unanimously decided to submit the bill for a first reading in an amended form, adding a restriction on the area of operations to Iraq and emphasizing the mandate given by the Iraqi government. It was also decided to set the deadline for submitting amendments to the bill as November 20th at 10:00 AM, and to schedule the completion of the initial reading at the session on November 6th.
Most Active Speaker
Varro Vooglaid, ehjpLK1FIak — a central poser of questions and director of discussion; position: other (as a member of a parliamentary faction, lacks a direct left/right description).
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller proposed moving to the tenth item on the agenda, where the draft bill No. 477 submitted by the Government of the Republic to extend the duration of the use of the armed forces in the international operation Inherent Resolve would be discussed, and he asked for a briefing from Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur for the first reading.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Estonia is seeking to participate in the Inherent Resolve mission in Iraq for the coming year, with up to 110 service members, but the United States has informed of ending the operation by the end of next year, and therefore Estonia does not plan to participate in 2026, while at the same time emphasizing international cooperation, 360-degree security and counter-terrorism, and readiness to defend Estonia.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech expresses gratitude, invites the audience to ask questions, and asks Varro Vooglaid to answer.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asked two questions: why we are continuing the Estonian mission next year, when Finland finishes it at the end of this year, and whether the governments of Iraq and Syria are truly in agreement with continuing it and how to confirm this so that it would not contradict our principles—for example, in the context of Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territory and the question of the occupation of Syria.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Estonia will continue the Inherent Resolve mission next year as a reduced company, focusing on the protection of bases and ensuring the safety of instructors and experts, and will withdraw from there gradually, as the mission's presence depends on the Iraqi government's request, and Syria will not be affected.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Varro Vooglaid to speak.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid poses a clarifying question as to whether the Inherent Resolve mission, which operates in both Iraq and Syria, is in accordance with the principles of international law, and whether the Syrian government's consent to operate on Syrian territory exists or is lacking.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Estonia is operating in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government, and their wish is for Inherent Resolve to continue on Iraqi soil and to gradually increase civilian cooperation, mainly police training; if Inherent Resolve ends, the NATO mission in Iraq could grow.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chair Arvo Aller finishes the round of questions, thanks the participants, and notes that Varro Vooglaid has submitted a question to the chair of the meeting.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He's a bit in a bind, because he asked the minister the same question twice about authorizing the Inherent Resolve operation in Iraq and Syria and didn't get an answer, and he asks the chair to give the minister the floor again so the question can be clarified.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller said that at the moment it is not possible to recall the minister to answer, and the steering committee's representative, Peeter Tali, will provide an overview of the discussions that took place in the committee.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defence Committee decided, by consensus, to submit, in amended form, a draft bill for the first reading, the scope of which is Iraq, and the aim of which is participation in the international counter-terrorism operation Inherent Resolve on Iraqi territory, in order to help Iraq achieve national defence independence and to strengthen training and cooperation with NATO and the Estonia–USA alliance, thereby contributing to the development of the armed forces.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman thanks, invites questions, and turns to Anti Poolametsa, asking him to say something.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets said that although the defence forces have described the operations, they are in distant lands and knowledge of the region is limited, and he continued Varro Vooglaiu's question, asking about the legal bases for the operations in Iraq and why Syria is involved, because there is real power there and carrying out operations is not easy.
Peeter Tali
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The central focus of the speech is granting the Estonian Defence Forces a mandate to operate in an international operation on Iraqi territory, based on historical and personal ties to Iraq, with the aim of preventing the emergence of a new evil state, and it emphasizes the importance of alliance relations, especially with the United States, regardless of the US president.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller closes the questions-and-answers round, thanks everyone, and announces the opening of negotiations with the factions, with Vladimir Arhipov representing the Estonian Centre Party faction.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The presentation emphasizes that Estonia's extension of foreign missions is an international obligation and an important security guarantee that strengthens cooperation with allies, develops the armed forces' skills, and demonstrates Estonia's willingness to stand up for peace, and thanks our service members and their families.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The negotiations have ended, the first reading of Bill 477 has been completed, the deadline for submitting amendments is November 20 at 10:00, and the tenth item on the agenda has been exhausted.