UN Security Council Focuses on Security Situation in Afghanistan

At a meeting called by Norway and Estonia, members of the United Nations Security Council agreed that sanctions, as well as international aid and regional cooperation should be used to influence the Taliban after its takeover of Afghanistan.

 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented a message to the Council and the international community on the need to speak with one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan in the current critical situation.

 

Estonia will accept up to 30 refugees from Afghanistan who have cooperated with Estonia, NATO or the European Union, the government agreed on August 19.

 

 

ERM Director Alar Karis Latest Presidential Candidate

Alar Karis, the director of the Estonian National Museum, gave his consent to Jüri Ratas' proposal to become a presidential candidate. 

 

Karis, 63, is a molecular geneticist and developmental biologist by training, and was rector of the University of Tartu from 2007 to 2012.

 

He was appointed Auditor General in March 2013 and director of the Estonian National Museum in October 2017. 

 

The presidential electoral process begins in the Riigikogu on August 30. 

 

Riigikogu speaker Jüri Ratas has repeatedly said he wants this year's presidential election resolved in the Riigikogu, rather than going through an extended process in the electoral colleges.

 

 For this to happen, Reform and Center's MPs would need to be joined by at least nine more from SDE or Isamaa, to meet the 68 votes required to be elected head of state.

 

 

Protest Over Site of Football Training Center

On August 18, a group led by the Fatherland (Isamaa) party gathered in front of the Tallinn City Government building to protest against plans for a football training center to be built on land adjacent to the Maarjamäe Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Tallinn.

 

 

PM Hosts Former PMs

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas hosted seven of the ten former Estonian prime ministers on August 18 at Stenbock House, ahead of the 30th Anniversary of the Restoration of Estonian Independence.

 

The former head of government exchanged thoughts on current issues and the future of the country.