By Years: Urmas Kruuse

The emphasis is placed on national policy, though regional specificities and needs are brought forward, particularly concerning agriculture and public transport. The speaker supports relaxing criteria/thresholds in border regions (Ida-Viru County, Southeast Estonia) and underscores the necessity for state agencies to procure locally sourced food. Furthermore, they note the disparities in public transport between Harju County and Southern Estonia and reference the responsibilities of local municipalities (for instance, regarding land taxation).

There is a strong regional focus on issues concerning rural life and local municipalities. He/She stresses the necessity of looking beyond municipal boundaries when planning school network reform, citing Central Estonia as an example. He/She also addresses the need to optimize public transport and supports the activities of the Rural Development Foundation in encouraging people to move to the countryside.