Rural development policies of European Union and Turkey's adaptation

ABSTRACTMaster Degree With ThesisRural Development Policies of European Union and Turkey?s AdaptationRecep Murat EKİMDokuz Eylül UniversityInstitute of Social SciencesDepartment of European UnionRural areas are those places which have a close relationship with natureand people living in such places are economically affected from the negativeconditions of nature more than those living in urban areas. The ruralpopulation makes their living generally from activities such as agriculture,forestration, fishing and hunting, which are directly dependent on nature andhave low added value. This makes up a disorganised income distribution amongpeople from rural and urban districts and also an obstacle for the developmentof rural areas.In order to organize income distribution and provide social peace all thecountries in the world must develop rural areas and support inhabitants invarious economic ways.European Union made up the Common Agriculture Policies when it wasfounded in order to deal with the problems of rural areas and to increase theincome level of the people there. To determine of Common Agriculture Policiesas regards the increase of agricultural production made significant progres inthis area. As a result of this, there were some changes been done in theCommon Agriculture Policies upon agricultural production more than needed,the cost increase of market manipulation for the union countries and thenegative effect of this situation on income distribution. In relation with this,today the rural development policies started weighing heavier among otherCommon Agriculture Policies.Rural areas play an important part in Turkey too. However, no ruralarea identification has been specified in Turkey, therefore, no rural areadevelopment policy has been arranged. Even still, Turkey is trying to develop itsrural areas and the people economically through rural development projectsand various agricultural supports.In the membership process to European Union, Turkey must form arural development policy right away and start rural support practices inharmony with the Union. In this study, whatever could be done about thesituation was done in the light of present situations in Turkey and in EuropeanUnion.