Regional Minister Madis Kallas announced today that he is leaving the post of Regional Minister. Kallas’ mandate as minister ends at midnight today.
“I accepted the office of minister with the desire to fight for Estonian rural life and reduce regional inequality. When I took office and interacted with farmers, food producers and people in rural areas, I understood even more how critical it is now to deal with the fact that life in rural areas does not die out once and for all,” said Regional Minister Madis Kallas. “I felt this responsibility when I came from Saaremaa, and today, looking back at the past year, I feel that the goals that were set when I took office have not been fully fulfilled.”
According to Madis Kallas, the last month has brought a breakthrough in many important issues, but agricultural and regional policy must be done consistently and equally with all other important issues. “I am glad that we reached an agreement in the government on the issue of more sustainable financing of municipalities and found an opportunity to open the Rural Development Foundation’s land capital loan measure of 20 million euros. In addition, a long discussion on compensation for swine fever losses was resolved, and we finally made a decision to allocate 1.2 million euros to entrepreneurs,” Kallas gives examples of the last month’s negotiations.
“This decision was not at all easy for me. I have been in office as a regional minister for one year and I am very grateful for this opportunity to work for Estonian rural life. The ministerial office is full of challenges, and I have had the great honor of working together with the collective of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Estonian agricultural sector and local governments in order to make it a good place to live in every part of Estonia,” added Kallas.
The chancellor of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Marko Gorban, thanks the minister and his team for their commitment and work done. According to the chancellor, the minister’s time in office has been full of action. “The creation of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture has been carried out, changes to the revenue base of local governments have been prepared, preparations have been made for the mobility reform, extraordinary support has been paid to the agricultural sector, several plans have been initiated, and decisions have been made to establish the Land and Spatial Board. This is only a small selection of the achievements that remained in the minister’s year in office. At the same time, this list gives an overview of how broad and important the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture is responsible for, and what topics await the new minister,” he said.
Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Lauri Läänemets, recognizes Madis Kallas for his significant achievements. “Last week, the government agreed on a precise Robin Hood plan, which will increase the funding of municipalities in rural areas and small towns. Also several measures to support county centers and growth areas, among them changes in land tax. In addition to reducing regional inequality, an agreement has also been concluded to support farmers through the rural development foundation, and in addition, public transport reform plans are essentially ready.”
From now on, Madis Kalla will continue to work in the Riigikogu. Kallas’ term as regional minister lasted from April 17, 2023 to April 16, 2024. Neeme Suur, a westerner, worked as Kallas’ adviser.
2024-04-16 06:52:45
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