This morning, President Lennart Meri, Prime Minister Mart Laar, the Minister of Finance Siim Kallas, and the Minister of Economy Mihkel Pärnoja had a meeting in Kadriorg and discussed the practical issues related to the Young Family Home Project. Also the representatives of the Estonian Association of Construction Entrepreneurs and the Estonian Banking Association were present on the meeting.

On the meeting, the Young Family Home project, which is to be launched next year, was discussed. The project's objective is to support the establishment of new homes for young families. The President and the Ministers decided that the foundation ''Estonian Home'' in the administrative area of the Minister of Economy shall bear the administrative responsibility for the young family project and start looking through the details.

The idea of the Young Family Home was first pronounced by the President of the Republic in his Song Festival speech. Since then, the President and the Government have co-operated to prepare the project which, in the President's words, must be massive, influence all Estonia, and open clear future prospects to young families.

As the Prime Minister said, the project has the Government's unequivocal support, and will therefore develop as quickly and comprehensively as possible. The Minister of Finance emphasised that this is not a social aid programme, but support to young people's initiative. According to the Minister of Economy, also local governments will participate in the preparation of the project. The Minister of Economy expressed his hope that the idea will as soon as possible be introduced to the local governments and meet their full support.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 11, 1999

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