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The President of the Republic started his working visit to Ida-Virumaa29.01.2002
The President of the Republic and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel started their visit to Ida-Virumaa this morning.
In the forenoon, the President of the Republic visited the County Government of Ida-Virumaa where County Governor Rein Aidma briefed him on the economic and social situation in the county. Thereafter, the Head of State familiarized himself with the Estonian School of Sillamäe and met with members of the board of the Association of Local Governments of Ida-Virumaa. During the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of the Association, the Mayor of the community of Toila, Bruno Uustal, acquainted the President with problems aggravating the activities of local governments, such as the so-called creeping administrative reform and the division of functions between the government agencies and the local governments. The thoughts of Mr Uustal coincided with the opinions expressed in the President`s speech at the Forum of Local Governments, on November 22, 2001, indicating that the President understands the concerns of local governments.
It turned out at the meeting that the reforms, having been carried out in Estonia to this day, have not solved the regional problems but more likely engendered them. One of the reasons being as was told by the officials of local governments that the state is delegating tasks to local governments indeed, but is not providing the resources needed to perform those tasks.
Before too long, the President will call into being a council of local governments and regional development which will seek solutions for the subjects brought up this day.
In the afternoon, the Head of State will meet with leaders of the large enterprises of Narva, visit the Balti ES, the leather processing factory Nakro, the Baltic power station of the Narva Elektrijaamad Ltd and the Narva-Jõesuu Training Centre of the Border Guard.
Tomorrow, President Rüütel will continue his tour in Ida-Virumaa.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, January 29, 2002
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