Regions have become subjects of policy. In consequence the significance of regional dimension of economy has increased. The article sets the relations between regional configuration and the national economy. Against that background the change in approach to the regional policy and regions’ development is described and its main objectives and priorities are emphasized. The theme of the study in the first place is the changes undergoing in Poland but also those in the EU. One of the basic questions in regional policy is: does the policy aimed at the development of all regions (regardless of the level of their economic competitiveness, developing problems and spatial features) contribute to equalization of interregional differences and thus to the development of the whole country.

5-17