Rural development policy and its future in Europe 2020 Strategy

Rural development, broadly characterized as a process to enhance the quality of life of rural residents and the economic performance of rural areas, is predominantly supported at the EU level by the CAP – particularly its second Pillar – and the Cohesion Policy. The EU policy for supporting rural development beyond 2013 is currently a topic of debate amongst stakeholders and the European Commission. Europe has a growth deficit, and according to different points of view, the excessive supports should be cut, but the primary objectives of the CAP – namely, to provide the population with quality food, to guarantee food security, to meet environmental, public and animal health requirements, and to maintain rural communities – should be maintained. The EU will have to face the economic crisis and its threats, such as poverty, market loss, decreased production in the less favored areas and fight against environmental crisis. How can be these problems solved equally? How can the environment be maintained in line with the development of rural areas? How should it be financed? Several thoughts have arisen concerning the future of the CAP, from re-nationalization of the subsidies to the conversion of the two pillars of the CAP into three pillars; the debate is not yet finished. The significance of rural development is unquestionable; deliberate objectives and measures may solve the economic, environmental, social and global challenges. This paper wishes to compare former rural policies with visions for the future. Keywords: CAP, Europe 2020 Strategy, rural development