First reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu (371 OE) "On the Formation of the Riigikogu Special Committee of Inquiry to Investigate the Circumstances of Business Activities Related to Russia Originating from Estonia During the War in Ukraine"
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-10 21:24
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 16m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The initial agenda item concerned Riigikogu Draft Resolution 371, initiated by the Isamaa faction, to form a Riigikogu investigative committee to examine the circumstances of business activities connected to Russia originating from Estonia during the Ukraine war. The draft is in its first reading and plans to grant representation in the committee to every Riigikogu faction. The committee's tasks include determining what business activity originating from Estonia with Russia has taken place during the Ukraine war, assessing its legality, and, if necessary, submitting proposals for changing legislation and administrative practice, as well as discussing policy changes in cooperation with the European Union and neighboring countries. Based on the draft and the discussions, the Isamaa faction communicated a primary expectation to the leadership that the committee would become a clearly comprehensive working group and submit its final report no later than June 10, 2024. The signatory is Helir-Valdor Seeder, Chairman of the Isamaa faction.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 371 was rejected at the first reading; the voting result was 40 in favor, 5 against, with no abstentions. The Bill is hereby dropped from the proceedings.
Most Active Speaker
Mart Maastik, a member of the Riigikogu and a representative of the Isamaa faction, was the most active participant in the session, where he actively handled the presentation of the draft bill and fielded questions. His extensive involvement is rooted in his right-wing political views.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that today's 15th item on the agenda is the first reading of Riigikogu Draft Resolution 371, submitted by the Isamaa faction, the purpose of which is to establish a Riigikogu investigative committee to examine the circumstances of business activities connected to Russia originating from Estonia during the war in Ukraine.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Today, Mart Maastik presented a draft resolution for the formation of an Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) investigative committee, the purpose of which is to investigate the circumstances of Russia-related business activities originating from Estonia during the war in Ukraine.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar states that he cannot hear the presenter and asks Mart Maastik for assistance.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik stated that during the war, Estonian companies sold tens of millions of euros worth of goods to Russia and brokered products and services that supported Russia’s military actions against Ukraine. He subsequently proposed establishing a Riigikogu investigative committee to clarify the circumstances, with the final report slated for submission on June 10, 2024.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the rapporteur, noted that there were no questions and that the chamber was satisfied, and announced that he would introduce Hendrik Johannes Terra, the Chairman of the Riigikogu Constitutional Committee, to the rostrum.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The rapporteur stated that the committee discussed the draft bill concerning the investigation of Russian business and sanctions, considering the creation of a special regime investigative committee or the specified mandates of existing committees, and the need for coordination at the European Union level. The rapporteur emphasized Estonia's role and initiative, and the committee ultimately decided to reject the draft bill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the speaker and called upon Mart Maastik to ask a question.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speech emphasizes that the Commission should present concrete steps and set an example to demonstrate that doing business with Russia is criminal and that this is condemned throughout the European Union.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The Foreign Affairs and Economic Committees should continue addressing this topic because it is a broader issue than just Estonia. Furthermore, unilaterally ending business or brokering with Russia would create a significant competitive disadvantage for our companies and wouldn't solve the problem overall.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He thanks the Chairman and the rapporteur and asks whether the Commission will ever actually take any action, pointing out that today the European Union Court lifted the sanctions on Fridman and Aven, demonstrating that nobody has done anything.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar called upon Priit Sibul to speak.
Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Isamaa has shown political initiative on this issue, and although the committee cannot appoint anyone to handle it, it can compile the materials and forward them.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the questioning period was concluded and debate would not be opened, and that, upon the proposal of the lead committee, Bill 371 would be rejected in the first reading, and the Riigikogu would be called to a vote.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that Bill 371 had been rejected during the first reading and subsequently dropped from the proceedings, and that Bills 330 and 370 could not be introduced due to the absence of the rapporteurs, whereupon the session concluded, and we will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m.