The quest for countryside support schemes for mountain areas in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs)

Regional divergence between different areas of CEECs has considerably risen over the integration period into Western Europe economy in last decade. The EU enlargement process thus has to pay specific attention to its regional implications and to effects on regions with lagging economic development and structural problems. Particularly mountain areas have, in general, to overcome handicaps of geographical peripheral location and low competivity. As the agricultural sector is still of significant relevance in these areas the preparation for the adoption of the EU Common Agricultural Policy is of major concern. The paper draws on a national research project, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Resources, and investigates the support schemes for mountain areas being established in the CEECs, particularly those aiming at preserving diversified countryside and outstanding cultural landscapes, as a means to nurture overall regional development. It also focuses on the need for regional policies enlarging the scope of economic activities in the peripheral mountain areas. In this context experiences from EU countries 0on policies for mountainous and less-favoured areas (LFA) and examples of successful local approaches in EU mountain regions are used. (paper prepared for conference theme: Regional disparities, problems and policies thematic area: Problems of mountainous, rural, peripheral and other lagging regions)