He currently is a Member of Parliament in the Riigikogu representing the Pärnumaa Electoral District.

His fight for Estonian identity as a foundation for the struggle to gain independence was an affront to the Russians and was conducted at great personal risk.

Velliste deliberately encouraged the drive for national and political freedom.

In accordance with his beliefs, he founded a society for the protection of Estonian historical monuments.

Velliste considered knowledge of the past to be a necessity in the fight for elementary human rights on the road to self-government and self-confidence.