Postimees Digest, Thursday, April 11
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IRL ministers call for more flexible migration policy.
Pro Patria Res Publica Union's (IRL) Minister of Education and Science Jaak Aaviksoo, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts and Minister of Internal Affairs Ken-Marti Vaher write in an opinion piece that while Estonia's immigration policy is conservative for a reason as a country of a little more than one million people finds it hard to hold on to its identity, opening it up in certain areas would contribute to Estonia's social and economic development.
The ministers elaborate on a proposed amendment to the Foreigners Act that would make it easier to bring foreign specialists to work in Estonia. At the core of changes is an expedited residence permits procedure for foreign specialists, entrepreneurs and students. Specialists eligible for expedited residence permits need to be paid at least twice the average salary while companies and universities are expected to participate and share in responsibility in terms of avoiding misuse of the instrument. The amendment allows foreign specialists to file for a residence permit while already in the country and to start work immediately upon arrival and gives foreign students a window to file for a residence permit after graduation.
Sale of VEB Fund claims fails.
Liquidator of the VEB Fund Rein Järvelill said that the sale of the fund's claims at an auction has failed and that the foundation will be liquidated as a body without assets. A law passed by the parliament aimed to use assets from the sale of claims to compensate VEB Fund unit holders. The latter have on several occasions demanded the state compensate them for certificates that prove their assets were frozen at the Russian Foreign Economy Bank (VEB) in the early 1990s.
Justice ministry against people's initiative bill.
The Ministry of Justice said it does not support oppositional Center Party's Constitutional amendment that would give 25,000 citizens the right to introduce a bill. The government's communication bureau said that the ministry finds that the Constitution gives the people, as bearers of supreme power, the chance to execute that power through Riigikogu elections and referendums.