First reading of the Draft Act on the Ratification of the Final Acts of the Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union in Ar-Riyadh (Bill 689 SE)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-14 13:03
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 5
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 6m
AI Summaries: 5/5 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first reading of Draft Act 689 on the ratification of the final acts of the Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union in Ar-Riyāḑ, initiated by the Government of the Republic, was on the agenda. Hendrik Johannes Terras, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, introduced the draft act, the purpose of which was to ratify the amendments to the UPU General Regulations and the Postal Convention. The amendments were aimed at specifying the role of the UPU Advisory Committee, increasing the budget ceiling, and modernizing the universal postal service so that it better meets the expectations of e-commerce, for example, by adding electronic traceability to the mandatory services.
Urve Tiidus, the representative of the Economic Affairs Committee, provided a thorough overview of the discussions held in the committee. The committee addressed issues concerning the prevention of sending dangerous items (including the abolition of the use of anonymous parcel lockers), the safety of goods ordered from outside the EU, and the impact of the postal reform on people's behavioral patterns. Tiidus also highlighted a significant future change, according to which the maximum weight of letter-post items will decrease from 2 kg to 1 kg starting in 2027. Upon the proposal of the lead committee, the first reading was concluded.
Decisions Made 4
The Economic Affairs Committee proposed adding the draft legislation to the plenary session's agenda on October 14.
The Economic Committee proposed concluding the first reading of Bill 689.
The first reading of Bill 689 was concluded.
The deadline for the submission of amendments was set for October 28th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
Urve Tiidus, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, was notably active, delivering a comprehensive co-presentation detailing the committee’s discussions on the security of postal services, the impact of e-commerce, and upcoming regulatory changes (for example, the reduction of the weight limit for letter mail).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Esteemed Riigikogu, today's agenda begins with the first reading of Bill 689, initiated by the Government of the Republic, which concerns the ratification of the Final Acts of the Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union in Ar-Riyadh. This represents a significant step in fulfilling Estonia's international postal obligations and regulating postal services at a global level. The purpose of the bill is to affirm decisions and amendments binding upon Estonia regarding international postal traffic and postal service standards. Ratification will ensure the smooth operation of the Estonian postal sector within the international context and contribute to the modernization of the postal system in accordance with the new rules approved by the Universal Postal Union. The Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, is at the Riigikogu rostrum to deliver the report and provide a substantive introduction to the draft legislation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture submitted a draft act to the Riigikogu (Parliament) for ratification, confirming the final acts adopted at the Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Ar-Riyāḑ in 2023. Amendments to both the Fourth Additional Protocol to the UPU General Regulations and the First Additional Protocol to the Postal Convention will be ratified. The main objective of the amendments to the General Regulations is to specify the role and responsibilities of the UPU Consultative Committee, thereby incorporating a broader postal sector into this structure. Furthermore, the Union's budget ceiling was increased to ensure the implementation of planned activities. The most significant amendments concern the Universal Postal Convention, the purpose of which is to make small packet services provided under the universal postal service more competitive and better meet the expectations of e-commerce. To achieve this, services that are no longer necessary were removed from the list of mandatory services, and solutions expected by consumers, such as electronic track and trace, were added to the list of mandatory supplementary services. This is an amendment to an international agreement that directly affects the opportunities for Estonian residents to use international postal services. AS Eesti Post, the universal postal service provider, has confirmed that these amendments are necessary and implementable, as the corresponding systems have already been developed outside the scope of the universal service.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
During the Riigikogu session, there was a smooth transition from one stage of debate to the next. First, the conclusion of the previous speaker's presentation and the question round was noted, expressing gratitude to them and confirming that there were no further questions for the preceding rapporteur. With this, the previous agenda item was concluded, and the session immediately proceeded to the next important stage in the legislative work. Subsequently, the honorable member of the Economic Affairs Committee, Urve Tiidus, was invited to the Riigikogu rostrum. Tiidus was called upon to deliver a co-report, which indicates that a discussion of a significant bill or topic is underway, requiring the specialized committee's position to be presented. This procedural step underscores the continuity of parliamentary work and the necessity of involving committee experts in the thorough and multifaceted handling of draft legislation.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee discussed the draft resolution initiated by the Government of the Republic concerning the ratification of the final acts of the Universal Postal Union’s Extraordinary Congress in Ar-Riyāḑ, which focused extensively on ensuring the security of postal services and preventing dangerous shipments. To enhance security, Eesti Post (Estonian Post) has implemented several measures, including eliminating the possibility of anonymous sending via parcel machines, conducting risk analyses, and training personnel. Furthermore, the ongoing customs reform at the European Union level is significant, establishing uniform control measures for shipments arriving from third countries as well as those moving between member states. It was emphasized that although postal secrecy protects the contents, mail arriving by air must clearly state the sender’s and recipient’s details to ensure better traceability. While postal companies at the congress primarily focused on volumes and financial results, national representatives stressed the protection of consumer expectations and rights in the highly competitive parcel market. During the discussions, the impact of the widespread use of parcel machines on public mindsets also emerged, suggesting that the price for sending a postcard should be set to cover the actual costs. A ministry representative explained that the current Postal Act does not require amendment in light of the convention, as it regulates services at a general level, but Eesti Post may need to modify its standard terms and conditions. A crucial international change decided at the UPU congress is the reduction of the maximum weight limit for letter-post items from the current two kilograms to one kilogram, effective starting in 2027. This means that all letters weighing over one kilogram will henceforth be classified as parcels, which also carries an economic impact. The Economic Affairs Committee reached a consensus decision to submit the draft resolution to the plenary session agenda and conclude the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Steering Committee proposed concluding the first reading of Bill 689, which the Riigikogu also agreed to. Following the presentation and the round of questions—which was not utilized—the first reading of the bill was concluded. The deadline for submitting amendments was set for 5:15 PM on October 28 of the current year. This concluded the deliberation of the first item on the agenda in the Riigikogu.