|
SEMINAR 1998 |
THE ARKLETON TRUST
|
|
[CONTENTS] [NEXT PAGE] |
4. Rural development policy in the context of EU enlargementThe future European rural development policy will be considerably influenced by its enlargement to include the CEECs, which brings a new set of development requirements and needs. Despite considerable differences between the CEE applicant countries, relatively high proportions of rural population still engaged in agriculture and low levels of diversification in rural economies can be depicted as common denominators. Adjustment must surely be concerned with the development of alternative forms of work and income in (or at least being accessible from) the rural areas.As discussed in the previous section, a new approach to rural development has been emerging in the context of the existing EU-15. Whilst rural development is clearly a priority for many of the CEECs, it is not clear whether or how this new approach is applicable in the CEE countries, although the pre-accession programmes should inform us on this point in due course. In this respect, the proposed EU pre-accession programmes were discussed in terms of their ability to address the complexity of the rural needs of the CEECs.
[The Funds] |