Options for Setting Up An Effective EU Rural Development Policy

This paper presents an analysis of the available options for an effective EU rural development policy. A classification of the methods used to determine an optimal rural development policy can be viewed as the specific aim of the paper. This aim is achieved by discussing theoretical-methodological approaches to rural development, an analysis of the current situation in EU rural areas, including appropriate economic tools, and a partial analysis of existing methods for defining the optimal status in the rural areas. The paper also stresses the main economic determinants influencing conditions in EU rural areas. The authors point out a disproportion between agricultural subsidies and their utilisation in the actual development of the rural areas. Moreover, the definition of the target group of the CAP seems to be essential. The final part of the paper discusses the most significant approaches defining the optimal status in EU rural areas together with their risks and opportunities in respect of an effective rural development policy.