Born at the same time as the cohesion policy, the rural development policy of the EU is now a part of the common agricultural policy. It constitutes the “second pillar” of the CAP. But, if agriculture is crucial for the balance of rural areas, it is only one component of their economic and social development. Public policy in this area requires a cross-sectoral approach which has raised, since its birth at the Community level, the question of its consistency with other EU policies. In this policy paper, FrancesoMantino reviews the evolution of this policy since the 2000 Agenda. In the context of discussions within the European Council on the future of Community policies (CAP, budget, Europe Strategy 2020), he suggests ways to strengthen common action in support of rural zones.