TOGETHER AS ONE. Ten stories about Estonia's return to independence. 20.08.2017
At the end of 2015 MEP Tunne Kelam initiated a project called Together as One. Ten stories about Estonia's return to independence, to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of restoration of Estonian independence. Ten short documentaries (100 seconds each), were produced. Now we are ready to share these remarkable stories with international audience, with English subtitles.Loe lisaks
Call for immediate release of Hengameh Shahidi 04.04.2017
MEP Tunne Kelam calls for immediate release of Hengameh Shahidi, journalist, women’s rights activist and Mehdi Karroubi’s Women’s Affairs Advisor, who was illegally arrested and imprisoned in the Evin Prison on 10th of March 2017. Ms Shahidi is on her 25th day of hunger strike which the last 4th day it has been a dry hunger strike and is currently in a very critical condition. Her last contact with her family was on 1st April, when she asked her family to forgive her for any hurt she might have caused, and to consider her last words to them as her "Last Will and Testament" and to donate her body parts.
Loe lisaksMembers of the European Parliament demand the immediate release of human rights activists Arash Sadeghi and Ali Shariati 25.01.2017
12 January 2017, Brussels
Following the current reports on the critical condition of Arash Sadeghi and Ali Shariati, two Iranian human rights defenders on hunger strike, Members of the European Parliament demand their immediate and unconditional release. They must be allowed to a hospital to have an extensive treatment.
Loe lisaksChinese organ transplants 07.07.2016
Tunne Kelam MEP speech at the European Parliament’s debate on China
6.07.2016In dealing with third countries, European Parliament (EP) has stressed that human rights and European values should be mainstreamed in mutual relations. Without exception and not regarding the current political situation.
Loe lisaksOrgan Harvesting of Prisoners of Conscience in China 28.06.2016
Press Invitation
Time: 11h00-11h30, June 29, 2016
Location: Press Conference room, PHS 0A050,
European Parliament
Loe lisaksCouncil, hurry up with data protection package! 21.04.2016
Tunne Kelam MEP on Data protection package, debate on the results of the European Council, March 9, 2016
Loe lisaksTunne Kelam MEP on Greece: Equality and solidarity apply equally for all 09.07.2015
Tunne Kelam MEP speech at European Parliament debate on Greece, 08 July 2015Loe lisaks
Defeating IS crucial for Europe's security 26.02.2015
February 12, 2015
The reinstatement of peace and security in Syria and Iraq following the terrorism and violence perpetuated by the Islamic State (IS) is a top priority for EPP Group MEPs who stressed during today’s plenary debate that immediate humanitarian assistance and protection need to be an integral part of long-term strategies to end the conflict.
Loe lisaksIraq, Syria and the ISIS: The situation and prospects for Christians in the region 09.07.2014
In the view of the rapidly declining situation in Iraq the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need invited to Brussels a delegation from this country headed by His Beatitude Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. Patriarch Sako who was accompanied with Archbishop Yohanna Petros Mouche of Mosul, and Bishop Youssif Mirkis of Kirkuk met this morning the Members of the European Parliament.
Delivery of Mistrals to Russia should be stopped immediately 17.03.2014
To the President of the Republic of France
H. E. Mr. François Hollande
Loe lisaksMEP Tunne Kelam statement: Russian Aggression Threatens All of Eastern Europe 01.03.2014
Just one week after the Sochi Olympics, President Putin has made clear the real nature of the current Russian regime. We are dealing with a big power whose policy is exercising its own interests at expense of the sovereignty of its neighbors and systematically violating international law.
Loe lisaksIt is in the interest of all three Baltic States as well as the EU to start building Rail Baltic without delay 20.01.2014
MEP Tunne Kelam urged all three Baltic States to focus on the essential – the actual construction of Rail Baltic.
„It is apparent that some national differences do exist and that occasionally outside forces may amplify these. This is part of national sovereignty and a reality that must be considered,“ stated Kelam. It is important to base mutual relations on respect and equality. At present, however, most important is that an occasional misspoken communication should not overshadow the essential common interest of all – the creation of a modern highspeed rail connection from the Baltics to the heart of Europe, to Berlin and Brussels. Rail Baltic is a unique opportunity for all parties to eliminate the artificial isolation of the Baltic States created by the Soviet Union. This is a matter of the strategic security interests of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, not merely a question of transportation connections, believes Kelam.
Loe lisaksINTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “SOUL OF EUROPE” 08.02.2013
“A creative minority of practising Christians, Schuman, Adenauer and De Gasperi, helped Europe out of its post-war crisis by proposing a way forward based on biblical principles. They believed that democracy was either Christian, or it would become non-existent.”
Tunne KELAM
MEP Tunne Kelam statement on EU cybersecurity strategy 07.02.2013
Today the European Commission revealed the long-awaited EU cyber security strategy, which initially had to be launched already last September. Despite the delay, I welcome the adoption of the strategy by the EC as I see it as a step closer to bringing Europe up to date with the latest advancements in the field of cyber defence. However, there are still some parts missing from this strategy. This strategy report provides, for example, no common definition of cyber crime. In addition, the strategy does not call on all Member States to develop and adopt their national cyber security strategies without delay, even though more than half of the Member States still lack state level cyber security strategies. The foreseen obligatory NIS strategies will cover a big part, but not all that there is in cyber space. In addition, the application of the cyber security will prove very difficult, as currently EU has allocated no additional means to actually implement this strategy.
Loe lisaksEnough cyber talk - we need to act! Mainstreaming cyber issues in EU policy 28.01.2013
By Tunne Kelam MEP, Rapporteur30 years from the European Parliament’s First Resolution on the Baltic Nations 23.01.2013
On January 13th, 1983, the European Parliament adopted its first resolution in support of the Soviet-occupied Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians.
The historic stand of the European Parliament was a reaction to the “Baltic Appeal,” the courageous public initiative by 45 Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians of August 23, 1979 (supported by several Russian dissidents), which urged the United Nations and democratic governments of the West to support the aspirations of the Baltic nations to restore their independence.
Loe lisaksWe wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 14.12.2012
Latvian PM Valdis Dombrovskis: ‘Fiscal adjustment and structural reforms, key to regaining financial stability’ 07.12.2012
Next week in Strasbourg: Tunne Kelam MEP's report on the development of a comprehensive cyber security and defence strategy. 21.11.2012
On Wednesday 21 November MEPS will call for the EU's own strong and effective security and defence policy in a joint debate. Loe lisaksCONSERVATIVE FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY - conference and book launch on Friday 23 November 2012 14.11.2012
Estonia: 40 years since the historic memorandum by the Estonian resistance to the UN General Assembly. Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group 24.10.2012
"40 years ago the Estonian people made history by having the courage to peacefully fight for the independence of their country. On 24 October 1972 a Memorandum was sent from Soviet occupied Estonia to the United Nations calling for the independence of the Republic of Estonia, which had been illegally occupied and annexed to the Soviet Union as a result of the 1939 Hitler-Stalin Pact", said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, the largest political group in the European Parliament.Loe lisaks
Iranian Opposition Is Finally Free to Act 02.10.2012
Statement by Tunne Kelam, Member of the European Parliament (Estonia)
On September 28, 2012, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the official US Government decision to remove the Peoples’ Mujahhedins of Iran (PMOI) from its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations. As the best organized Iranian opposition movement, the PMOI, unjustly and to the great satisfaction of the Iranian mullahs, has been on this black list for 15 years.
Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on Black Ribbon Day 23.08.2012
August 23, 2012Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today to mark Black Ribbon Day, the national day of remembrance for the victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe:
Loe lisaks
Crimes of Communism against humanity: Europe needs to do more 05.06.2012
Jerzy Buzek MEP, Sandra Kalniete MEP, György Schöpflin MEP and Tunne Kelam MEPIn order to seek a new model of international justice which could finally settle the ethical, moral and legal debt which the European Union has towards its citizens who suffered severe violations of human rights under totalitarian Communist rule, and towards the perpetrators, an international conference entitled 'Legal Settlement of Communist Crimes' was organised today in the European Parliament.
EU-Russia Summit: deficiencies in the rule of law in Russia cannot be swept under the carpet. 01.06.2012
"Concerns about deficiencies in the rule of law and the abuse of human rights in Russia cannot be swept under the carpet by EU leaders attending this weekend's EU-Russia Summit", said Members of the EPP Group Tunne Kelam, Laima Andrikiene and Bernd Posselt. "In particular, the cases of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Sergei Magnitsky should be raised. These summits are an opportunity for frank discussion and the EU should not lose this opportunity."
Loe lisaksForeign policy magazine "Maailma Vaade" now in English 06.04.2012
With the support of the Centre for European Studies (CES), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and the Pro Patria Institute, the latest edition of the foreign policy magazine "Maailma Vaade" is published also in English. Tunne Kelam - Iranian New Year Celebration - European Parliament 28.03.2012
On the massacre of Copts in Egypt 13.10.2011
Christian Copts were routinely discriminated already under the Mubarak regime, with their churches and homes attacked and burnt by Muslim extremists. Last Sunday, October 9, dozens of Copts were killed as more than 100,000 of them, supported by groups of Moslem co-citizens, marched peacefully through the streets of Cairo, protesting against new attacks which targeted their churches.
Loe lisaksCommemorating 70 years from the first mass deportations from the Baltic States: "Your past is our past". Tunne Kelam MEP 06.06.2011
At the opening of the plenary session, the Members of the European Parliament commemorated 70 years from the first mass deportations from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, conducted by the Soviet Union.
In his statement, the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek stressed that we need to remember many thousands of victims in the Baltic States which had been occupied since 1940 by the Soviet Union.
Loe lisaksMoment of Decision for the European Union’s Foreign Policy 16.03.2011
Tunne Kelam, Member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee
By the 15th of March five days had passed from the adoption of the European Parliament’s resolution on
Iran: confidence-building with Tehran's regime is no longer a realistic option. Tunne Kelam MEP 10.03.2011
"Now that the EU is calling for an immediate end to the brutal Gaddafi dictatorship and insists on completely isolating him, the same should apply to the brutal and bloody Iranian regime", stated Tunne Kelam MEP after the debate on
Russia's continued disregard of human rights and Rule of Law is bound to have a negative impact on relations with the EU. Tunne Kelam MEP 21.02.2011
"A crucial indicator of the situation of the Rule of Law in Russia is the fact that tens of independent journalists and civil activists have been murdered - to name just a few Anna Politkovskaya, Natalya Estemirova, Sergei Magnitsky - and yet not one crime has been solved and not one murderer has been brought to justice", said Tunne Kelam MEP.
Loe lisaksKremlin can be seen as complicit in crimes against human rights activists. 21.02.2011
The outcome of the Khodorkovsky and Magnitski cases will be seen as crucial for Russia's credibility as a NATO partner. 16.12.2010
NATO
Speech by MEP Tunne Kelam, 15.12.2010
Loe lisaksThe Cuban injustice - statement by 'Friends of Free Cuba'. Sakharov Prize 2010 15.12.2010
Estonian MEP warns that Russia's clout is increasing 28.10.2010
European People's Party faction representative Tunne Kelam has gone on record as saying that Russia's power to sow and exploit divisions between EU states and in transatlantic relations has never been greater.Loe lisaks
Circassians standing up for their rights and cultural identity deserve EU support 06.10.2010
Tunne Kelam, Member of the European ParliamentBaltic MEPs Address Marine Eco-Crisis 15.09.2010
MEPs pledged to bring up Baltic Sea environmental issues at the plenary of the European Parliament. Topics included pollution, as well as the possible impact of submerged chemical weapons, the Nord Stream pipeline and the Kaliningrad oil rig.Loe lisaks
Arms Exports: after Lisbon, EU needs better coordination of its arms exports. 08.09.2010
Tunne Kelam MEP and Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš MEP
Today's European Parliament debate on arms exports, initiated by EPP Group Members, was based on solid concerns of several Member States who have been seriously worried about the imminent exports of modern military technology from some Member States to third countries.
Loe lisaks
70 years from the occupation of the Baltic states 14.06.2010
Seventy years ago, in June 1940, three European states on the eastern coast of the Baltic sea, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, were invaded by the Red Army and illegally annexed to the Soviet Union. This was the direct result of the August, 23, 1939 pact between two dictators – Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler – who had agreed divide the eastern part of Europe between themselves. Nazi Germany gave the Soviet Union free hands to establish its domination over Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, as well as parts of Poland and Romania.
Loe lisaksWorld War II: Apologies for past crimes have to precede future victory parades. Tunne Kelam MEP 06.05.2010
On May 9, 2010, the Kremlin leaders will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany and leaders from all over Europe have been invited to
Five years ago, on May 11, 2005, the European Parliament reacted to a similar Kremlin-sponsored celebration by initiating a resolution on the consequences of WW II. The parliament concluded that "for some nations, the end of World War II meant renewed tyranny inflicted by the Stalinist Soviet Union.”
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Tunne Kelam: Selling Mistral-type helicopter carriers to Russia equals rewarding Kremlin for its invasion of Georgia 23.11.2009
The European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is the only international mission monitoring the implementation of the August 12 and September 8, 2008 agreements between
Tunne Kelam: New member states should have a representative in the new EU "troika" 11.11.2009
In the debate on the results of the recent European Council, the EPP representative Tunne Kelam from Estonia made three observations: Loe lisaksTunne Kelam: There is a third party in Russian-Georgian conflict 22.10.2009
Baltic Sea Strategy: A success story of the original Lisbon Strategy? 16.09.2009
Baltic States commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Baltic Way 21.08.2009
Tunne Kelam (EE), Sandra Kalniete (LV), Vytautas Landsbergis (LT)On 23 August Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Baltic Way. On that day in 1989 the people of the three occupied Baltic States joined hands in an unprecedented action - a 600 km-long human chain from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius - demanding recognition of secret clauses in the Hitler-Stalin pact of 1939 and the re-establishment of the independence of the Baltic States.
