EN
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the essence of the European Union’s development policy in all its aspects. To this end, it examines the factual circumstances and determinants of this policy. It scrutinizes the principles and functioning of the EU development policy as well as its challenges and obstacles. The article aims to verify the assumption that the 1990s and early 21st century marked a significant revaluation of the European Union’s development policy. On the one hand, EU development policy is becoming more crucial and comprehensive in character. On the other hand, the current premises of EU development policy do not fully match the real needs of developing countries.