By Months: Marko Mihkelson

The speaker focuses on the organizational and procedural matters of the Riigikogu, presenting a draft resolution on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee to amend the composition of the Baltic Assembly delegation. The stance is supportive and aimed at fulfilling the parliament’s internal procedures, which was prompted by the departure of a former colleague. This constitutes a framework centered primarily on policy and procedure.

The political position is one of strong support for the amendments to the Foreign Relations Act, emphasizing the necessity of regulating development cooperation and humanitarian aid, and ensuring adherence to the principle of separation of powers when denouncing international treaties. Speaking on behalf of the Reform Party, the speaker supports the proposal by the Foreign Affairs Committee to conclude the second reading and move the draft bill to the final vote on April 9th. This position is clearly grounded in political and legal norms.

The political stance is strongly value-driven and centers on existential security. The speaker emphatically stresses the need to strengthen allied relations ("Never Again Alone") and secure Ukraine's victory, arguing this is the only route to guaranteeing lasting peace and Estonia’s security. He criticizes the inadequate level of defense expenditure among Western European nations and calls for a rapid increase in resources, deeming 5% of GDP allocated to defense spending an unavoidable reality.

The political focus is heavily centered on foreign and security policy, particularly concerning the advance of Russian imperialism in the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe. The speaker firmly supports the Riigikogu statement condemning the systematic falsification of the Georgian parliamentary elections and demanding the organization of new, free elections. This stance is value-based, underscoring the necessity of supporting the Georgian people's aspirations toward the European Union and NATO. This is a critically important issue that directly affects Estonia’s own security.

The political focus is strongly value-driven, centered on historical justice and international accountability within the context of Russian aggression. The speaker firmly supports recognizing the 1944 deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide, stressing that this is the very least that can be done. The primary objective is to establish a legal framework to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable and to prevent impunity. This stance strongly supports Ukraine achieving a victorious outcome in the war of aggression.

The political focus is currently on amending the Foreign Service Act (Bill 353), with the goal of ensuring better support and "family happiness" for the spouses and registered partners of officials serving abroad. The speaker strongly supports making the conditions more favorable, noting that the Estonian foreign service is a pioneer in this area in Europe. This represents a policy- and value-based approach that emphasizes finding rational solutions to address long-term issues.

The political position is strongly value-driven, focusing on defending Estonia’s security and preserving the global order. The speaker firmly and promptly supports the draft law that would allow the use of frozen Russian assets for supporting Ukraine and providing military aid, stressing its international significance and the precedent it sets. He emphasizes that Russia’s aggression constitutes an existential threat, aimed at altering the world order upon which Estonia, as a state governed by the rule of law, also depends. As a representative of the Reform Party, he supports every measure that helps safeguard the continued existence of the state.

The political position is heavily focused on supporting amendments to the Foreign Service Act, with the explicit goal of strengthening Estonia’s foreign service. The approach is policy-driven, highlighting the long preparation period for the law and previous setbacks (specifically, the President’s refusal to promulgate it in 2020). The speaker supports the adoption of the draft bill, deeming it undeniably crucial.

The political position is strongly value-driven and focuses on the fight against Russian aggression, which is viewed as a new world war threatening the entire Western world order. The main goal is the strategic defeat of Russia in Ukraine and maintaining the unity of the transatlantic security architecture and the allied space. They support robust and unrestricted aid to Ukraine, as well as maintaining Estonia's defense spending at the 3% GDP level. The political framework is existential and strategic, emphasizing the need to actively seize the initiative instead of relying on passive defense.

The speaker's political focus is directed toward the management of international representation and parliamentary procedure. The position supports changes to the composition of the delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in accordance with proposals submitted by the parliamentary groups. This is a procedural and politically neutral position, rather than a value-based one.