RIGA, Sept 28 (LETA) - Latvia's administrative territorial reform, which was completed this past summer, is already benefitting municipalities and proving that "together we can do more", Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Arturs Toms Pless (For Development) said in an interview with TV3 channel Tuesday. 

In Pless' words, local governments have managed to level out their social services, which in smaller municipalities used to be harder to access. 

Asked about plans for municipalities without development centers, the minister agreed with the Constitutional Court's position that the existence of a development center is one of the most important preconditions for a successful municipality.

Pless noted that already during the reform the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry proposed merging state cities with adjacent municipalities, but the idea did not gain political support. The ministry intends to propose the idea again ahead of next elections. 

As for the small municipality of Varaklani, a decision has yet to be made whether to merge it with Madona or Rezekne municipality. Pless said that a repeated survey of the local population on the issue was conducted in Varaklani this fall and that its results would be released shortly.