Agenda Profile: Kalev Stoicescu
Draft law (642 SE) for withdrawing from the convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines and requiring their destruction – first reading
2025-05-21
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Political Position
The political position is strongly security-based, supporting withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention (642 SE) in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the deteriorating security situation. The need for additional flexibility and freedom in the selection of weapon systems is emphasized in order to deter the aggressor's offensive along the eastern border. This is a value-based decision to defend our people and country "in any case and by any means."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of international law, defense policy, and the procedural rules of the Riigikogu. He/She is thoroughly familiar with the history of the Ottawa Convention, highlighting the timeline for the accession of Estonia, Latvia, and Finland, and refers to meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international organizations. Furthermore, he/she is knowledgeable about the parallel legislative processes in the Baltic states.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, substantive, and insistent, focusing on national security considerations and historical inevitability. Strong imagery is employed (e.g., "the onslaught of the aggressor's hordes"), but the argumentation is built upon logical necessity, referencing Russia's actions in Ukraine and Estonia's historical experience of living alongside an aggressor. A significant portion of the speech is dedicated to the detailed description of procedural decisions.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is related to the work of the National Defence Committee, encompassing sittings and specific consultations. Meetings are mentioned with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in December 2024 and representatives of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in May 2025. The speaker has been appointed as the committee's representative for the first reading of the draft bill.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Direct opposition came from international humanitarian organizations (ICRC, ICBL), who sought to persuade Estonia to refrain from withdrawing from the convention on humanitarian grounds. Russia is viewed as a direct and dangerous aggressor, whose activities in the occupied territories of Ukraine are highlighted as the primary and unavoidable reason for the withdrawal. Criticism of Russia is intense and justifies the prioritization of national security.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is consensual within the committee, as all procedural decisions in the National Defence Committee were made by consensus. Cooperation was also carried out with the initiator of the draft bill, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, by supporting an amendment that clarifies the text. Coordinated action is emphasized with the Baltic states (Latvia and Lithuania), who wish to jointly notify the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council of their withdrawal from the convention.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national security and the defense of the eastern border, where the deployment of anti-personnel mines may be considered. A significant regional emphasis is placed on the coordinated action of the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and other neighbors (Poland, Finland) regarding withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention due to the deteriorating security situation.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social question is the conflict between humanitarian considerations (the ban on anti-personnel mines) and national security. The speaker's position is clear: security and the defense of the populace are paramount in order to prevent the aggressor activity witnessed in Ukraine from occurring in Estonia, thereby prioritizing national defense above humanitarian obligations.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on Draft Bill 642 SE, which concerns withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. The speaker is a representative of the National Defence Committee, who describes in detail the bill's proceedings, the consensus decisions reached, and justifies the short deadline for submitting amendments due to the single-sentence content of the draft bill itself.
4 Speeches Analyzed