Estonian Govt Office to start dealing with strategic planning framework

TALLINN – The government of Estonia on Thursday approved a proposal to amend the statutes of the Government Office and the Ministry of Finance with which the main responsibility of developing the country's strategic planning framework will be transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Government Office.

Secretary of State Taimar Peterkop was quoted by Government Office spokespeople as saying that the change will allow the prime minister to manage the country comprehensively on a strategic level. "The organization and coordination of the country's strategic planning on the level of agencies will also strengthen," he added.

At present, both the state's financial management and strategic planning are organized and coordinated by the state budget department of the Ministry of Finance.

The tasks of the Government Office, however, have been to plan the work of the government, including the government's action program, increase the state's competitiveness and draw up and implement strategic development plans concerning sustainable development. Included among these tasks is advising the prime minister and secretary of state on issues concerning strategic planning.

The amendment will give the prime minister more opportunities than before for managing strategic planning of the state through development plans.

Upon the change coming into force, supporting the work of the government will also include the primary responsibility to organize and coordinate the country's strategic planning. The Government Office will have the right to formulate a strategic framework supporting Estonia's long-term development.

This amendment will not concern the role of the Ministry of Finance in drawing up the state's budgetary strategy and state budget.