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According to Ilves, the administrative reform law is just the first step of state reform towards an administrative structure in which all Estonian self-governments are competent and professional, supportive of community spirit and capable of providing better services than before, the president's office said.

"If self-governments become stronger and more competent and their tasks become greater, their revenue base must be stronger as well," the president said. "However, the parliament has so far completed only half the equation. Thus, also bills determining the division of self-governments' tasks and finances in a present-day key need to be on the desks of parliament members by the fall. This must be done in a hurry, because true administrative reform is not merely a matter of mathematical adding up of rural municipalities and cities."

According to Ilves, there are other issues that need to be addressed, including regional employment together with possible relocation of state authorities outside Tallinn and the changing role of county governments. "In this, too, the government and the parliament must not lose the courage to take decisions," he stressed.

In conclusion, the president wished the government and the parliament strength for taking in close cooperation with local governments next state reform-related steps, which would eventually demonstrate that it is indeed possible to live a successful life in all parts of Estonia.