Strategic Documents Of The European Union As A Factor Of The Regional Development Concept

The European Union is developing as a community of uneven economic development of its members. On the one hand the economy of Western Europe and the Baltic Sea is classified into the leading world economies; on the other side, Central and Eastern Europe are now the economies in transition. This non uniformity of the European Union causes the various forms of intervention, financial and guiding, as for example: strategic documents. Their purpose is to raise the level of development and to narrow the gap between the economies in transition and the developed European economies. One intention of important strategic documents is to focus on the concept of regional development, strengthening of the local government and formation of the European model of development, which is based on affirmation of regional competitive advantages. The question is if it is possible and how to develop a model of regional development in the political, social and economic conditions which prevail in the transition economies. Taking into account the above, the purpose of this study is to analyse basic components of the factors, which affect the operating system of development and to valorise the basic factors of the model of regional development, which should be the cornerstone of the national economic development of all the member states. The research hypothesis posed is that strategic documents of the European Union constitute the key factor in the concept of regional economic development of the national economies of Europe. The research question which needs an answer is how the whole system of economic development, on the macro level works, and what prerequisites are necessary to ensure its functioning. Some economies in transition, such as the Croatian economy are trying to base their development on the legal framework, which should also work in the operating sphere of the economy. The question is whether it is possible. This study looks into this issue.