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President Ilves: the residents of Ruhnu Island are a positively minded and strong people

17.06.2008

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves’s two-day visit to Kihnu and Ruhnu Islands continues today on Ruhnu. The Head of State visited the harbor, airfield and school on Ruhnu, toured the local museum and Ruhnu’s two churches, where Pastor Harri Rein provided an overview of the history of the wooden church that dates from 17th century and the new church.

At the meeting with Aare Sünter, the Mayor of the Rural Municipality, Council Chairman Vello Kümmel, and Märt Kapsta, the Director of the Ruhnu Museum, the discussion focused on the most important steps taken recently in the Ruhnu Rural Municipality: from the installation of a permanent Internet connection and satellite Internet to the lengthening of the airfield runway. The need to increase the number of permanent residents on Ruhnu, the construction of a new schoolhouse, and improved transport connections with Saaremaa and Pärnu were highlighted as the primary goals for the future.

“I am glad to be back on Ruhnu after a ten year break and to see how far you have developed,” President Ilves said at the afternoon meeting with the island’s residents at the local community hall.

“The residents of Ruhnu are a very positively minded and strong people—as one has to be when living in a place not often visited by ships or planes,” the Head of State added.

The visit of the Head of State will end with a visit to the Ruhnu Lighthouse and the local border guard post.

Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229