The focus of the discussion revolved around the question whether the share of European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) resources earmarked for local initiatives (LEADER programme) by the reformed Common Agricultural Policy is satisfactory and whether the use of EAFRD and European Social Fund (ESF) resources for rural development should be mandatory. It was concluded, as Mr Zajakala suggested, that the establishment of a minimum threshold for local initiatives is a good signal and an important step in good direction but it is by no means sufficient for stimulating rural economy. In addition, Mr Zajakala once more called for a more balanced development of urban and rural areas and for their increased cooperation through functional territorial partnerships. In his view the focus of European Commission has been too focussed on Urban areas to the detriment of Rural policies.

 

In the opinion, Mr Zajakala also drew attention to a list of highly diverse problems which are threatening the development, sometimes even the mere persistence, of rural areas across Europe today and proposed to address some of these challenges through creation of functional urban-rural territorial partnerships based on careful strategic planning and identification of long-term interests of rural communities.