Regional development policy in the Republic of Bulgaria

The need for a regional development policy in Bulgaria is determined by the fact that the principle of territorial solidarity requires the creation of relatively equal living conditions in the different parts of the country's territory. An important argument is also the process of accession and subsequent membership in the European Union, in which the policy of economic and social cohesion occupies a central place. The European Union, in addition to providing significant resources from the community, sets specific requirements for the member states, including in the regional policy it implements. In this scientific work, the authors aim to characterize the priorities of the regional policy of the Republic of Bulgaria for different periods. The emergence, development, legislative framework and instruments of regional development policy are examined. Relevant conclusions and generalizations are made.