Vice-Chairman of the Riigikogu and Chairman of the Estonian Central Party, Jüri Ratas, together with Riigikogu member Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, visited Ida-Virumaa with the aim of discussing development opportunities and obstacles in the region with local government leaders.
According to Jüri Ratas, the development of Ida-Virumaa is limited by the unfair distribution of the resource fee. “The resources obtained from the region and the accompanying deterioration of the living environment are not sufficiently returned to the local residents through the financing model. It is also a matter of great concern to know that today’s Government of the Republic does not contribute enough to the rental housing program in the form of state support. Ida-Virumaa is a region of market failure and you cannot rely on developers operating in the private sector alone. For example, no new apartment buildings have been built in Narva this decade, while young families coming to work from outside the county are interested in modern living spaces. Ida-Virumaa also needs more attention in terms of support for the comprehensive renovation of apartment buildings, because this year the county did not receive any applications for the round of applications,” he said. Jüri Ratas.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski stressed that the model of the just transition fund unfortunately does not work properly, as only 5 percent of the 300 million euros have been implemented. “Unfortunately, the set conditions are so strict that few companies creating new jobs in Ida-Virumaa can apply for funds from the fund. The development of the region is also hindered by excessive bureaucracy and I do not see that the current government has a solid plan and a real desire to improve the situation. Besides, there is not a word about the Ida-Virumaa program in the new coalition agreement,” said Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski.
Jüri Ratas and Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski recognized that a major challenge for educational institutions in Ida-Virumaa is the transition to Estonian-language learning. “Major reforms in the educational landscape cannot be carried out hastily and without thinking. The higher salary offered is not a magic bullet that will eliminate the teacher shortage. A flexible approach is needed and those highly qualified pedagogues who do not know the Estonian language well enough immediately should not be left aside,” added Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski.
During the visit, Jüri Ratas and Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski met with Tauno Võhmar, mayor of Alutagus municipality, Tatjana Stolfat, chairman of Narva city council, Katri Raigi, mayor of Narva, and Marja-Liisa Veiser, mayor of Lüganus municipality.
