The Rural Development Strategy was prepared within the framework of development plans under the coordination of State Planning Organization (DPT) with the participation of the central and local public institutions, the private sector and the civil society. The strategy will be the basis for the Rural Development Plan and for the rural development-oriented projects and activities to be prepared this year. In this project, in which firstly the current status was assessed, the strong and weak aspects, and the opportunities were set forth. Taking the utilization of local potential and the protection of natural and cultural assets as a basis, the principal objective in the strategy was determined as “ensuring the local work and living conditions of the rural community developable and sustainable in line with the urban regions”. According to the strategy, an approach will be adopted which takes into account the diversity of rural areas and the conditions varying according to regions. The focus will be placed upon prioritization and determination of measures in ways that would meet the local needs. Measures and activities toward regional and local rural development will be implemented in congruence with the regional development plan and programs. Priority will be given to underdeveloped rural areas. The elements of cooperation and participation, sustainability, social inclusion and efficiency in resource usage will be taken into account in the implementation of rural development strategy.