EKRE pushing for Treaty of Tartu mention in border treaty
Conservative People's Party has proposed adding a preamble to the Estonian-Russian border treaty, currently under debate in the Parliament, mentioning the 1920 Treaty of Tartu between the two nations.
“Originating from the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia, established on February 24, 1918, as stated in the Estonian Constitution, the decision by the Congress of the Republic of Estonian on August 20, 1991 on 'The national independence of Estonia,' and Parliament's declaration on October 7, 1992 on 'The restoration of the constitutional state powers,' and considering the treaty mentioned in paragraph 1 of the current act partially changes, in accordance with paragraph 122 of the Estonian Constitution, the state border designated in article III, section 1 of the February 2, 1920 Treaty of Tartu, it does not change the rest of the treaty nor decide on bilateral questions not covered by the border treaties,” the preamble by EKRE read.
EKRE said the addition of the preamble is necessary to preserve the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia, adding that the additional text helps to avoid different interpretations of the Treaty of Tartu and shows Russia's readiness to cement article II of the Treaty of Tartu, where Russia recognizes Estonian independence.
EKRE Deputy Chairman Henn Põlluaas said the party still believes there is no political, economic or other reasons to sign the Estonian-Russian border treaty.
Signing the border treaty without any reference to the Treaty of Tartu will discontinue the validity of the Treaty of Tartu and the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia, the legal foundation of Estonian independence, Põlluaas said.
The much-debated border treaty between Estonia and Russia is currently under debate in the Estonian parliament and set to be debated in the Russian parliament soon. Experts predict the two parliaments will both ratify the treaty in the first half of 2016.
Editor: J.M. Laats