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Speech of the President of the Republic at the opening of the 6th session of the Riigikogu Plenary Assembly 12 September 200512.09.2005
Dear people,
Honourable Riigikogu and the Government of the Republic,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Current composition of the Riigikogu has gone through half of its working period. As the second half begins, there is a reason to critically evaluate accomplishments as well as unused opportunities in order to work out clear-cut action plan for the following period. The effectiveness of the actions is influenced by precision in determining current condition and defines new goals stemming from the mission.
Commencing a new year in politics it must be acknowledged once again that Estonia has gone through transition processes in the 14 years of regained independence and bears the responsibility of operating as a stable and reliable member of the EU and NATO. At the same time we should not forget that the Estonian state is "a guarantee for present and future generations in their civil success and common well-being" and has to ensure preservation of the nation and culture through ages.
The measuring pole for the parliament is legislative drafting, which is not merely expressed in a number of adopted acts. The key words are timeliness, balance, wholeness, and respect for constitutional values and consideration of future trends.
We had a good reason in the beginning of the term of the current composition of the Riigikogu, on 31 March 2003, to mark lagging behind of several spheres of public law and draw the attention to the fact that unbalanced development of the legal system may impair regulative operation of law in general.
Many solutions transposed from the legal environment of the many states of the European Union and other countries were too rushed and did not adapt to the Estonian legal order. The Government of the Republic Act as well as Local Government Organisation Act with their regulations trailed behind the need for balanced development of public administration.
Some months later, in the beginning of the next working year, the issues of development of public administration organisation and guaranteeing its capability emerged again. A need to review regulations, which were introduced in a hurry in connection with the EU accession, in a context of the Estonian legal order also appeared.
We may say today that changes in this sphere are not cognisable. Before the elections of the local governments' councils many members of the Government and Riigikogu have decided to share political responsibility to their electors in resolving national as well as local issues. It may also be mentioned that after the elections in October the local authority will work according to the act adopted already in 1993. In the years, which followed 1993, Riigikogu has filled the gaps in the Local Government Organisation act with 52 amendments.
Our legal order does not essentially support balanced regional development. Merger of some of the local government structures and intention to work out the regional development draft act do not yet create foundation for keeping promises given by the state and that justified expectations of the population in many regions in Estonia to have a balanced regional development will come to pass. Insufficient responsibility of the state in ensuring regional development is evidenced also by the fact that it took a long time to appoint county governors and that acting county governor heads the largest county.
Effectiveness of the legal order in organising public life and its credibility very much depend on the legislators' work. At this point reaching better consensus in drawing up and adopting acts and also all encompassing evaluation of their implementing effects is inevitable.
We have a valid reason to talk about trust deficit for some years already, induced by giving out promises lightly, making urgent political decisions without in-depth analysis along with inability to see beyond the horizon or even to see the horizon. And yet, it is trust, which sustains active legal capacity of the state institutions thus ensuring development of the society and constitutional order.
If in some years political capital of some of the political party has diminished, we should look for a reason in concrete actions or unfulfilled promises. At the same time reliability of the state in the eyes of partners and people is reduced through attempts to bypass common rules of the EU, which we ourselves have approved or have assisted in shaping. As a result, we have lost credibility and hundreds of millions of kroons, which could have been used for families and children's allowances.
Every error has a price. The greater the error in the larger system or management hierarchy is made, the greater the price is to be paid. Cases of inappropriate behaviour of a politician or business manager shedding grim light on the ones surrounding them or even the whole state are regrettable. It would be fair and necessary to resign.
Without the inner cleansing of the society, the positive image of Estonia may be replaced by a completely different reputation. Status of being a successful reform state and developer of the democratic institutions and civic society may be lost if it is not secured by honest and continual effort.
During this year in politics one desires to see carefully worked out proposals and initiatives of the Riigikogu and the Government of Republic in the issues pertaining to the EU development
Currently, topics related to the process of EU Constitutional Treaty and possible action plans are being deliberated by the EU member states. However, it seems that the activity of the expert committee formed along the Constitutional committee of the Riigikogu is rather passive.
Issues related to the Constitutional Treaty and Constitution of the Republic of Estonia, as a separate subject, have been discussed on numerous occasions in this chamber. Amendments to the Constitution made so far were imposed by time, development needs and challenges of the society. And many amendments to the Constitution have not yet been implemented, although it was high time to do so.
National culture in its broadest sense and the language being its main foundation, propel national development and continuity. Therefore, the Constitution sets the aim of preservation of the nation and culture, which among other things is the security policy goal.
Let us ask today whether progress has been made in reaching this goal. Unfortunately, we must admit, just as we did three years ago, that efforts in promoting national culture and preserving mother tongue have been insufficient. Estonian language is poorly protected, just as our spiritual and natural living environment as a whole.
A breakthrough at the state level has taken place neither in education, health care, supporting families or other factors of national sustainability. Indifference may be seen, a vivid example being a gap in the budget of the Health Insurance Fund. Current good condition of the state treasury does not free from responsibility to plan long-term measures to stabilize the situation.
Natural environment also sends us signals, which should force not only us, but also all nations to look into the future, changing our life style and thinking. Let us ask ourselves if we are ready to respond to the global affects. Unavoidable requirement of today is to economize, which should speedily find reflection in the Estonian legislation.
Economical development should not be established upon the former wasteful use of resources, but on innovation and technical transfer. We are also aware of the forthcoming demographic crisis, which could be significantly alleviated by effective rehabilitation of returning to the labour market the ones who left it or were pushed out. Foreign labour force could only serve a temporary solution and would show non-caring attitude for our own people if pursued for a length of time.
Present time is characterised by intertwining and cooperation between spheres, which precludes united approach. There is no hope in establishing knowledge-based economy without changing the content and organisation of education. Vocational training has to be in-tune with today and prepare graduates for the current needs of the society. Bettering measures to increase births, which cannot be underestimated should work hand-in-hand with valuing family relations and providing favourable developing environment for children. The objective of the Riigikogu is to see connections between various spheres and development as a whole.
We have talked about creating a stable development environment, which is a guarantee of continual economic development and inevitable prerequisite of the balanced development of the society. To achieve this, members of the society and institutions should recognise common values and share them.
We have been successful in the process of mapping common values, which resulted in signing of the first Agreement of Public Understanding on 20 October 2003. Today, the number of the parties to the agreement has doubled; because of the process, notions as civic society and participation democracy have gained a strong meaning.
Perhaps acting based on common values and feeling of belonging together, trust, which is born as a result and accomplishments would have been more noticeable in the society if all political parties had joined the agreement process. Having that kind of unity would allow us to successfully solve our problems and better protect our interests in the world.
Honourable representatives of the people,
In the beginning of your term we admitted that the current situation in the world requires calculated actions of the Riigikogu, Government of the Republic and the President. Events occurring at the global level have made world peace and guaranteeing security even more acute. In this context the word trust is very important again, based on common values and coordinated activities of the authoritative bodies sharing responsibility.
Foreign political steps of our country must proceed from continuity; consider constitutional aims, historical context and real opportunities.
Estonia has worked towards cooperation based on mutual understanding with all its neighbours. Therefore it is rather regrettable that we have had a backlash on the accomplishment of signing the border treaty with Russia. I would like to emphasize that values and principles, which we acted upon in restoration of our independence and which were accepted by Russia through recognising of our independence form the foundation for cooperation with Russia. I believe that fair analysis of common history will help to eliminate shadows of the past, which cloud cooperation between our countries.
The use of tested mechanisms in communication between the states is natural; however, new dimensions also need to be found. It is also important that core issues the security and foreign policy is deliberated in the Riigikogu chamber and broader public. Allow me to remind you that a balanced and continual development is irrefutably connected with transparency and trust.
Constitutional establishments have shared responsibility to their people, which is reflected in the spheres of ensuring foreign policy, national defence as well as legal order. This responsibility may not be fulfilled without cooperation, which takes into account the roles of various levels of authority and which is mutually supportive. Following a political party's policy or preferring of personal interests to the interests of the people does not promote cooperation nor does it give an indication of perceiving shared responsibility.
Therefore, I would like to repeat what has already been mentioned. EU and NATO created prerequisites for development impetus, but our nation and state have to work very hard to use these opportunities.
By taking oath of office, every member of the Riigikogu took the responsibility to work for the benefit of Estonia and its people. I do believe that Riigikogu, being in the middle of its term, is not yet fatigued and that in the process of overcoming political differences, sense of accountability to their electors and dignity shall be maintained.
Honourable representatives of the people,
I wish that you acted responsibly in keeping the promises.
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