Samenvatting

The European Union (EU), although a prosperous and economically developed area, has been marked by substantial regional imbalances and great economic inequalities. The continuing existence of economic and social disparities between "central" and "peripheral" regions within the Union MS's will eventually hinder the overall economic growth and prosperity of the Community.
In this respect, the functioning of an effective common Regional Development Policy, aimed at redressing the imbalances in the resources and capital allocation becomes vital.

The present research aims to provide an overview of the development of regional policy framework in Bulgaria, consistent with the EU strategic objectives and priorities for an integrated development. The particular emphasis will be put on the progress towards adaptation to the Community guidelines in the policy realization at the national level.
Although, it is too early to discuss the direct impact of the EU Regional Policy in Bulgaria, the assessment of the implementation and the indirect results in the mid-term stage of the programming period 2007-2013 is crucial, considering both the option for corrective measures and the overall need for improvements in the policy performance in Bulgaria. The impact assessment
of the progress of the EU Regional Development Policy and its implementation on a national level would clarify whether this approach has the potential to foster the cohesion process and would
moreover serve as an indicator for the progress of Bulgaria towards economic and political reform.