By Plenary Sessions: Jaak Valge

A strong regional focus is placed on Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru counties, where plans for phosphorite mining are generating opposition within local communities. Emphasis is placed on the interests and concerns of local governments (specifically the rural municipality heads of Rakvere, Vinni, and Viru-Nigula) regarding the preservation of the living environment. Personal experience concerning the impacts of oil shale mining in Ida-Viru County is used as a cautionary example.

The regional focus is aimed at the concerns of the city of Tartu regarding the impact of the pre-primary education law on the local system, citing an opinion signed by the Deputy Mayor of Tartu. Internationally, attention is centered on Latvia’s excise policy, comparing Estonia’s situation with the practices of Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark concerning restrictions on sales times and educational research.