Summary

  • The Europe Committee takes evidence on the presidency of the Council of the European Union from the Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann.

  • Scottish government ministers are quizzed during general questions

  • John Swinney takes questions from opposition party leaders and MSPs during first minister's questions

  • The lunchtime member's debate focuses on tackling incontinence in Scotland

  • MSPs debate the Scottish government support for veterans and the armed forces community in Scotland

  1. 'In terms of the financial obligations the movement has not been sufficient'published at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

    The ambassador says she left her crystal ball in the hotel!Image source, bbc
    Image caption,

    The ambassador says she left her crystal ball in the hotel!

    Committee convener Joan McAlpine asks what the chances of reaching an open trading agreement with the UK are.

    Ms Intelmann says: "I don't have the crystal ball unfortunately with me, I left it in the hotel."

    The Estonian ambassador says the UK is a very important trading partner, but at the same time one cannot stay on the inside while being on the outside.

    Ms McAlpine ask about the chances of moving on to the next stage of negotiations.

    Ms Intelmann says: "In terms of the financial obligations the movement has not been sufficient."

    She says: "The ball is in the court of the United Kingdom."

  2. Digital data the 'fourth freedom of movement in Europe'published at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

    Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann
    Image caption,

    Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann.

    Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann tells the committee: "Brexit is a challenge in terms of negotiations, but also gives us food for thought for how we want to move ahead.

    "We have people who expect to be in a relationship with our country while living elsewhere.

    "The issue of security is of concern.

    "The digitalisation of our economies is not something that is only done in some countries or optional.

    "We are now talking about the free movement of data as the fourth freedom of movement in Europe."

  3. Postpublished at 10:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  4. Background: Timelinepublished at 10:32 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

    Some key dates in Estonia's history:

    1918 - Independence proclaimed.

    1920- Peace treaty with Russia signed.

    The city gates in TalinnImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The city gates in Talinn

    1939 - The Soviet Union compels Estonia to accept Soviet military bases.

    1940 Soviet troops march in. Estonia incorporated into Soviet Union.

    1941 - German troops invade.

    Held every five years, Estonia's Nationwide Song and Dance Festival attracts thousands of performers and spectatorsImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Held every five years, Estonia's Nationwide Song and Dance Festival attracts thousands of performers and spectators

    1944 - Estonia reannexed by the Soviet Union. Tens of thousands of Estonians deported to Siberia and Central Asia.

    1988 - Popular Front campaigns for democracy. "Singing revolution" brings a third of the population together in a bid for national unity and self-determination.

    1991 - Communist rule collapses. Soviet government recognizes the independence of the Baltic republics.

    2004 - Estonia admitted to Nato and is one of 10 new states to join the EU.

  5. Postpublished at 10:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  6. Estonia took over the presidency of the EU on July the 1stpublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

    Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina IntelmannImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann

    Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald welcomes Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann.

    Ms Intelmann thanks the committee for the invitation.

    She says Estonia took over the presidency of the EU on July the 1st, in the place of the UK who decided it could not preside over Europe.

    Ms Intelmann says her country wants to perform the presidency to a very high standard and says backing for the EU is at 80% in her country.

  7. Postpublished at 10:24 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  8. MSPs will shortly take evidence the Estonian ambassador to the UKpublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

    Scottish ParliamentImage source, Scottish Parliament

    The Europe Committee will shortly take evidence on the Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union.

    MSPs will quiz the Ambassador of Estonia to the UK H.E. Tiina Intelmann.

    EstoniaImage source, Estonia
  9. Postpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  10. Postpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  11. Postpublished at 10:19 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  12. Postpublished at 10:17 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2017

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  13. Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Livepublished at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2017

    Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live

    We'll be covering the Europe Committee as it takes evidence from the Estonian ambassador on the EU presidency.

    After general questions we'll bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions as ever.

    Nicola SturgeonImage source, PA

    The lunchtime member's debate focuses on tackling incontinence in Scotland.

    MSPs debate the Scottish government support for veterans and the armed forces community in Scotland.