OREANDA-NEWS. October 04, 2010. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip called next year’s budget a “new growth budget” that focuses on improving the economic climate without unravelling the social fabric.

“Step by step, we are moving past the exit phase of the crisis and toward the first stage of new growth,” said the head of government in a political statement to the Riigikogu. “By keeping our economic environment productive, we will be able to make the transition from crisis to new economic growth. New jobs, an increase in pensions, services for families with children, security and a Nordic level of education – all of these depend on it. A functional, successful economy is an essential part of all of these positive changes,” said Ansip.

Although the European Commission forecasted that Estonia would have the European Union’s highest economic growth in 2011, Ansip said the crisis was not over. “The rest of the world may see a bright future for us, but only we can make it a reality,” said Ansip.

”Unfortunately, the effects of the worst economic crisis of the past 80 years will be felt by the world for years to come. Yet the recovery of confidence on export markets and among local entrepreneurs gives us hope for the spring in regard to the economy,” said the prime minister, who said Estonia would have many advantages over other countries if it practices sound management. “We do not have to pay back huge government debts; instead we can direct that money toward new economic growth,” said Ansip, who noted that the Estonian economy was considered one of the more sustainable ones in the European Union.

The head of government stressed that the objective is to bring revenue and spending in the budget into balance by 2013. “Even though we still have ten percent of our gross domestic product in reserves, we will have to start growing our reserves again for coping with potential future crises. This is the lesson of today’s crisis,” said the prime minister.

The government sector’s deficit in 2011 is 1.6% of Estonia’s GDP. The deficit is one of the lowest in the European Union. The prime minister says it was “self-evident” that Estonia would have to continue its conservative budgetary policy, which was a significant boon for the country in times of recession. “I believe that Estonia will be stronger, wiser and more united exiting the crisis,” said the head of government.