THE IMPACT OF THE REGIONAL POLICY ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY – BULGARIAN CASE

Abstract

The main objective of EU regional policy is to reduce disparities in terms of employment and income of the population, level of infrastructure development, economic development, etc. In 1957, when the six founding countries signed the Treaty of Rome, their aim was "to strengthen the unity of their economies and ensure their harmonious development by reducing the disparities existing between the various regions and the backwardness of the less favored regions." In practice, this is an economic development policy focused on problem areas. In practice, this is a policy based on solidarity. Solidarity is mentioned in the preamble to the Treaty on European Union, which states that community action is geared to economic and social cohesion, and especially to reducing disparities between the levels of development of individual regions. Economic and social cohesion is supported through regional, social and structural measures. The integrated approach dates from the time of the emergence of European cohesion policy. The Territorial Integrated Approach also highlights the need to work with a more flexible sense of geography. Geography continues to matter. The regional policy of the Republic of Bulgaria arises with the intention of defending the European model of social structure, in which the elements of free competition and social market economy are accompanied by goals related to the solidarity and promotion of specific priorities for economic, social and territorial development.