From 17^th to 19^th September 2014, the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, Belgium organized a seminar for rural development. The purpose of the seminar was to present the policies and programs of the European Union Rural Development for the period 2014-2020 to the representatives of the Western Balkans and Turkey. 

In the countries from the region, rural areas face numerous structural and socio-economic problems for which solutions can be found within the rural development policy of the EU and the CAP. This program can increase productivity and employability of people in these regions, especially in rural areas. The territorial approach to rural development, among other things, requires strengthening the capacity of regional and local authorities play an important role in meeting the requirements for EU accession in the field of rural development.

Delegation of the Republic of Macedonia, presented to the representatives of the European Union and other participants in the seminar, the policy of the Republic of Macedonia on rural development activities undertaken so far and planned activities in the period that follows the central, regional and local level.

On this seminar for rural development, in the delegation of the Republic of Macedonia, East Planning Region was represented by Mr. Emil Vasilev.