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The President of the Republic met the county governors04.06.2002
President Arnold Rüütel today in his Paslepa summer residence received the county governors and, at the dinner table, discussed with them possibilities to streamline the state regional policy.
First of all, the Head of State was interested in the opinions of the county governors on the ways of balanced development and the legislative basis needed for it. On President's suggestion, also the capacity of the Estonian state and local governments to apply for and to use funds allocated by the European Union for regional development in the near future was discussed. In view of the county governors, our readiness left much to be desired for there was a lack of both trained project managers and relevant development agencies in counties, needed to draw up and to realize the given projects.
The county governors held it dangerous that the state was ever more inclining to the so-called branch- and project-based administration, which caused development balanced in territorial terms to suffer. According to county governors, also resources from the European Union's structural funds should be channelled through county networks, not through ministries.
The participants shared the view that streamlining co-operation between both local governments and counties would enable to more productively use the funds earmarked for regional development. As for the regional projects implemented with the support of the European Union, they deemed it necessary that funds in accordance with the rates of Estonian co-financing be allocated already by the next year's budget.
On account of the aforementioned, the county governors expressed their support to the President's aspirations to achieve a social pact integrating whole Estonia, which would contribute to the competitiveness of entire Estonia and to downgrading particular interests dominating in our society.
At the President's today's meeting with the county governors, one further talking point was how to extend the the contest "Pretty Home" in such a way that it covered also production and administrative buildings as well as villages and towns. According to the county governors, the winners of the contest should be accorded a proper recognition they deserved.
Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, June 4, 2002
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