On August 14, the ninth of twelve meetings dedicated to the development of Southeast Estonia took place in the village of Karula, Valga County. This time, the focus was on the region’s future opportunities. Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, President of Eesti Pank Madis Müller, Auditor General Janar Holm, and Chancellor of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk presented their vision for the future of Southeast Estonia, covering questions of law and justice, access to capital, economic development, competitiveness, security, and national defense. Twenty top leaders and decision-makers from business, law enforcement, the banking sector, education, science, and other fields participated in the meeting.
Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise noted that people in Southeast Estonia would benefit from a more personal approach instead of the current over-standardization. “Be it subsidies or taxes, environmental restrictions, loans, or insurance – the needs of every rural entrepreneur, resident, or newcomer should be assessed individually, finding the best solution in each case, even if it involves risks. That is exactly why laws provide room for discretion – and it must be used boldly. Greater courage in life and risk-taking would not only promote vitality in the periphery but strengthen the whole of Estonia,” said Ülle Madise.
The Chancellor of Justice stressed that contemporary political technology, which deliberately pits rural and urban people, young and old, Estonians and non-Estonians against each other, only causes harm.
“Fundamentally excluding one party and its supporters does not correspond to the spirit of the Constitution. All of us who live here in Estonia must be able to cooperate, move forward, not drag others back. State power must show, through deeds, even to the people of remote areas, that their everyday situation is taken into account and that they are respected as human beings,” emphasized Ülle Madise.
President of Eesti Pank Madis Müller explained that the income gap between residents of Tallinn and those in more remote areas is about 20%, and the difference in wages is even greater.
“This has narrowed over time, but we should not accept it as inevitable. Creating financing conditions for businesses and households in the regions that are as comparable as possible to those in the cities – whether for business loans or home mortgages – is one of the goals that could also give Southeast Estonia an extra economic boost,” said Madis Müller.
According to Müller, the state has already done quite a lot through various guarantees and concessional loans, but it is worth asking whether even more could be achieved. “For example, by providing different subsidies, loans, and guarantees more simply through a ‘one-stop shop’ and with less bureaucracy, by designing the terms of guarantees and loans as wisely as possible, and by reviewing their pricing. It is probably more efficient for the state to invest more in guarantees rather than directly offering loans,” Müller explained.
Auditor General Janar Holm said that the substantive and open discussion about Southeast Estonia’s future showed clearly that many regional problems often do not differ from those affecting the entire country. But further away from the capital, the problems become more acute, their consequences arrive faster, and their impact is deeper.
“Escaping from them is also harder. Southeast Estonia does not need flowery development and action plans that create the impression of systematically solving the problems of local residents and entrepreneurs, but which impose no clear obligations or responsibilities on any party,” noted Janar Holm.
He stressed that what Southeast Estonia needs is clear knowledge in very practical matters: for example, when the problem of prolonged power outages in certain areas will be resolved, when heavily used gravel roads will receive dust-free surfaces, or when there is hope for better public transport connections.
“Whether the answer is next year, in seven years, or sometime further in the future – what matters is a clear perspective and predictability. Equally important is open and empathetic communication, which would gradually replace insecurity and worry with hope and trust,” Holm said.
Chancellor of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk emphasized that every place in Estonia is both unique and alike. “Unique in its people, environment, habits, and traditions. And alike in terms of importance. Every place in Estonia matters. Each time I come to Southeast Estonia, I see determination, inventiveness, and a love of work – with an understanding that excellence comes from dedication. Whether as a soldier on the training ground or as a chef in the kitchen,” said Kuusk.
“We live next to a brute who has not changed for centuries. Still the same deceitful, still the same brutal. We in Estonia are changing. We do things differently. We act with confidence, with thought, more effectively. By investing together more than 5% of GDP in our freedom in the future. Our defense rests on three pillars: first, independent defense capability, which begins with the defensive line in Southeast Estonia and anti-ship missiles near Kärdla, extending beyond the horizon with HIMARS. More important than weapon systems are our people – whether professional soldiers of the infantry brigade, conscripts in Kuperjanov, members of the academic home guard, or reservists gathered for training,” Kuusk said.
“The second pillar is our allies – the British and French in our division in Tapa, the Americans in Reedo, or Dutch, Portuguese, and Italian pilots flying the world’s most modern fighters above Estonia. We are NATO. And the third pillar is Estonia’s proactive role in shaping regional security. This means military aid to Ukraine, which is fighting the same brutal aggressor, and our readiness to contribute, as part of a coalition of will, to guaranteeing peace on Ukrainian soil if needed. More confidence! Every thorn counts!” Kuusk added.
The Southeast Estonia meeting series began with an open letter from three entrepreneurs, describing the region’s growing risks and announcing their intention to bring together about 120 people over the course of a year to help solve them.
Põim Kama, Triin Rätsep, and Kerti Vissel wrote: “For 30 years we have been rebuilding the Republic of Estonia, and just as long we have been talking about regional policy. Yet the gaps between regions have not diminished, but have instead widened. It is time to honestly admit that the current regional policy does not work, and to seek bold new opportunities. Rather than dwelling on past mistakes and causes, today it is more important to look openly at both the present and the future, to find new solutions and answers to the question: what kind of Estonia do we want to live in? By creating a more cohesive and considerate Estonia – between regions, generations, and fields – we can together build a state that values every area and every person. A cohesive, united, and respectful Estonia is our greatest security guarantee.”
The ninth meeting on August 14 was attended by Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, Chancellor of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk, President of Eesti Pank Madis Müller, Auditor General Janar Holm, Director General of the Police and Border Guard Board Egert Belitšev, Director General of the Internal Security Service Margo Palloson, CEO of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation Hando Sutter, Director General of the State Forest Management Centre Mikk Marran, CEO of the Estonian Banking Association and LHV Bank Kadri Kiisel, security expert Rainer Saks, attorney-at-law Allar Jõks, former Coop Bank CEO Margus Rink, Director General of the Tax and Customs Board Raigo Uukkivi, Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Defence Forces Antti Viljaste, Swedbank board member Raul Vahtra, science popularizer Aigar Vaigu, educational psychologist Grete Arro, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson, editor-in-chief of Delfi Opinion Erik Moora, and SEB Bank board member Peep Jalakas.
The next Southeast Estonia meeting will take place on September 18, 2025, and will focus on issues related to legislation and policymaking.