The paper presents the main objectives of the EU regional policy and the state policy for regional development of the Republic of Bulgaria, the discussions and amendments to the Regional Development Act in the context of the realized and expected effects on the economic development of the country. Тhe economic centers in Bulgaria and the prospects for rural development are analyzed. Comparisons have been made with other European countries and recommendations are made for a justified territorial zoning under European cohesion, rural development and regional policies, as well as socio-economic and spatial-territorial, natural, geographic, historical and cultural features of the country.

zoning, regional policy, economic centers, rural areas.