The forced departure of the MPEÕK Metropolitan from Estonia
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-01-24 15:18
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This current session addressed the seventh question, which was posed by Riigikogu member Varro Vooglaid to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The topic concerned the forced departure from Estonia of Metropolitan Eugeni (civil name Valeri Rešetnikov) of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The Estonian Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitsei) decided not to extend the metropolitan's residence permit, citing that his activities allegedly endanger Estonia's security.
Vooglaid expressed skepticism regarding the justification for the decision, asserting that he had not found a single public statement in which the metropolitan supported Russia's military action in Ukraine. He pointed out that Raivo Küüt, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, had previously stated there was no reason to consider the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate a security threat. Prime Minister Kallas stressed in response that the decision pertains to a specific individual, not the entire church, and that Rešetnikov has failed to cease supporting the aggression despite repeated warnings. She cited, for instance, the metropolitan's participation in a demonstration in January 2023 alongside individuals who the Internal Security Service has detained for anti-Estonian crimes.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were taken during the sitting, as it was a question-and-answer session with the Prime Minister.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Varro Vooglaid, a member of the Riigikogu, who posed the core question and follow-up questions concerning the non-extension of Metropolitan Eugeni's residence permit. He adopted a critical stance toward the government's decision, questioning its rationale and expressing concern about the potential straining of Estonian-Russian relations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The seventh question concerns the forced departure of the Metropolitan of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate from Estonia.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid expressed concern that, based on ERR reports, the Estonian move regarding the departure of the head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is being viewed as harassment and an escalation of tensions. He further emphasized that he has found no evidence of Metropolitan Eugeni supporting Russia's military activities, and questioned why such a step is necessary when Estonian-Russian relations are already strained, calling for a calm and substantive discussion.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stated that although the Russian Orthodox Church is linked to justifying aggression, Valeri Reshetnikov's residence permit was not extended due to his specific activities in Estonia, namely because he has not condemned the aggression, and this decision concerns the individual, not the church's policy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and asks Varro Vooglaid to pose a clarifying question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asserts that no public stance justifying Russia’s military activities in Ukraine has been found. He stresses the constitutional freedoms of conscience, religion, and thought, and suggests that Estonia should not compel anyone to issue a declaration of political obedience. Simultaneously, he questions why the state is taking actions that are escalating tensions with Russia.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas explained that the residency permit is not being extended because of a specific individual, and that this concerns not the church, but rather Russia's influence on the Estonian Russian-speaking community, and the need not to de-escalate in the interest of security, citing Russia's aggression directed at Ukraine and Medvedev's comment regarding Estonia's independence.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked [the previous speaker] and asked Valdo Randpere to ask an additional question.
Valdo Randpere
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The state is sovereign and makes decisions regarding living within the country's territory based on residence permits, as well as the topics concerning the Russian Orthodox Church's right of superficies and lease agreements. I am interested in knowing whether the government has had a conversation with the City of Tallinn about this, and whether today's discussion is still underway or if the issue has been dropped.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that the Russian church located opposite the Riigikogu on Toompea is a good example of Russian imperialism. Discussions about its suitability have taken place, but the matter has not been discussed with the city of Tallinn. Furthermore, removing the church might cause more trouble than leaving it, because it is a religious symbol.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman concludes the consideration of today's seventh item and, prior to the discussion of the eighth item, directs attention to the rules governing the conduct of the session, requesting Varro Vooglaid to offer his remarks.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks if he has the opportunity to obtain the Prime Minister's view on whether, as a fundamental principle of foreign and security policy, all non-essential steps that knowingly and intentionally escalate tensions in Estonia-Russia relations should be avoided.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
We cannot ask any further questions on this matter right now, but it is possible to submit a new question or a formal inquiry to the Prime Minister, and to do so in writing—all of those options are available.