Riigikogu rejects bill seeking closure of temporary control line between Estonia, Russia

TALLINN - The Riigikogu on Thursday rejected a bill that would have proposed to the government to close the temporary control line between the Republic of Estonia and the Russian Federation.

The parliament rejected the draft resolution submitted by the Isamaa parliamentary group, the explanatory memorandum of which pointed out that the State Borders Act gives the government the right to stop the crossing of the state border in the interests of national security.

"Considering the security situation, the attacks that have occurred, and the foreseeable threat, it would be appropriate for the government to make a decision on closing the Estonian-Russian land border at short notice. This decision would have weight as a countermeasure to Russia's growing hostile activities," the MPs who submitted the draft noted in its explanatory memorandum.

Statements were made at the discussion by Isamaa MP Riina Solman, Reform Party MP Maris Lauri, Center Party MP Aleksei Jevgrafov and Social Democratic Party MP Lauri Läänemets.

In the final vote, 14 MPs voted in favor of the bill, while 61 voted against it.