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: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 6m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
As the first item on the agenda, 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 debated. The presentation was given by the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, who explained that the purpose of the act is to ratify the amendments to the Fourth Additional Protocol to the General Regulations and the First Additional Protocol to the Postal Convention of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), adopted in 2023. The main objective of the amendments is to specify the role of the UPU Consultative Committee, increase the UPU budget ceiling, and make small packet services within the universal postal service more competitive and compliant with e-commerce expectations. This includes adding services expected by consumers, such as electronic trackability, to the list of mandatory supplementary services.
A co-report was presented by Urve Tiidus, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, who provided an overview of the draft's discussion within the committee. The committee thoroughly addressed issues concerning the prevention and suppression of sending dangerous items via post, to which it was responded that Eesti Post (Estonian Post) has implemented security mechanisms (e.g., eliminating anonymous sending from parcel lockers) and is engaged in staff training. Directives on customs reform and ensuring the security of shipments were also discussed. Tiidus also highlighted a topic of general interest in the context of postal reform, noting that the proliferation of parcel lockers has changed human behavior, but the option of sending a postcard remains, although its price should cover the actual costs. The Minister's representative confirmed that, in light of the convention, amending the Postal Act is not necessary, but Eesti Post may need to change its standard terms and conditions. Furthermore, it was announced that starting from 2027, the maximum weight limit for letter-post items will decrease from 2 kg to 1 kg. The Economic Affairs Committee made a consensus proposal to conclude the first reading.
Decisions Made 2
The first reading of Bill 689 was concluded.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for October 28th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Urve Tiidus, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee, who presented a comprehensive co-report detailing the committee's discussions, questions, and consensus decisions (other/committee).
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
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras introduced a draft bill prepared by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture for the ratification of the Final Acts of the Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Ar-Riyāḍ. The primary objective of this bill is to modernize the international postal convention, making small packet services more competitive and better aligned with the expectations of e-commerce. This is achieved by adding services such as electronic traceability to the mandatory services, while simultaneously clarifying the UPU’s internal regulations and budgetary constraints.
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.
Urve Tiidus
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Urve Tiidus provided an overview of the discussion held by the Economic Affairs Committee regarding the draft law on the ratification of the final acts of the Extraordinary Congress of the Universal Postal Union in Ar-Riyāḑ, where they thoroughly addressed ensuring the security of postal services (including the prevention of dangerous shipments and the elimination of anonymous sending), consumer protection, the harmonization of rules necessitated by competition in the parcel market, and changes related to postal reform, such as the impact of parcel lockers and the lowering of the weight limit for letter mail starting in 2027, making a consensus proposal to conclude the first reading of the draft law.
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.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi announced that since no questions or requests for debate were submitted following the presentation, the first reading of Draft Act 689 was concluded upon the proposal of the lead committee, and the deadline for submitting amendments was set for 5:15 p.m. on October 28 of the current year, which also concluded the handling of the first item on the agenda.