This paper tries to approach the question of rural development from a quite different angle: from the possibility of cross-border co-operation between the Hungarian and Ukrainian micro-regions. The importance of this question is gaining grounds because of Hungary’s accession to the EU and the Schengen zone. After unveiling the development and co-operation possibilities of three micro-regions, it tries to outline a series of potential development opportunities. The paper argues that prior rural development is needed to catalyseany cross-border relations.