This paper explains the implementation of the regional rural development policy. Analysis reveals disparities between the levels of development of the various regions. Different development of the regions of Lithuania is linked with economical and historical reasons. Thus the problems of development are emphasized in order to find out present regional situation of rural area.

The main purpose of the work is to estimate social and economical status of the territorial administrative units regarding the criteria of territorial development, established by the government in order to contribute to attaining the priority objective of the development and structural adjustment of the regions whose development is lagging behind. Moreover this paper aims to analyze the situation of EU village, revealling the specific features of less favourable areas for farming and the perspectives of regional rural development.

Raktažodžiai: country, regioninė politika, mažiau palankios ūkininkauti vietovės, probleminės teritorijos, kaimo plėtra, less favourable areas for farming, municipality, regional policy, problem territory, rural development