Regional Minister to participate in Abruka development conference

Press release no. 117

Tomorrow, 18 August, Regional Minister Jaan Õunapuu will be giving a talk at the Abruka island development conference titled "Preserving the Institutions of Abruka" regarding the roll of small islands in Estonia's regional development. "Estonia's regional development strategy for 2005-2015 places a lot of importance on guaranteeing quality of life in all of Estonia's regions, including its small islands," said Minister Õunapuu. "In achieving our regional policy goals we have to take the socio-economic, cultural and environmental aspects of every region into account."

"The development of these small islands, as with every other region, largely depends on the innovative and skilful use of local competitive advantages," the Minister added. "The state's roll here is to support what is unique about the island as well as what it needs in order to develop."

The conference will be held as part of the Kaarma municipality days and is being organised by the municipal government.