scholarly journals DANE Mechanizm i obszary wsparcia rozwoju współpracy transgranicznej oraz ochrony dziedzictwa i krajobrazu kulturowego w ramach programu „Interreg Polska – Słowacja”

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020(41) (3) ◽  
pp. 75-89
Author(s):  
Jan Pochwała ◽  

In order to support the development of Polish and Slovak border regions, after the accession of both countries to the EU, the “Interreg Poland – Slovakia” Program was implemented. One of the priorities of the Program is the protection and use of the common Polish-Slovak cultural and natural heritage for the development of cross-border cooperation. As part of Interreg since 2004, EU-Structural Funds have co-financed joint Polish-Slovak projects implemented in selected counties/poviat located in the following voivodeships/provinces: Śląskie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie (on the Polish side) and Žilinskom kraji, Prešovskom kraji and Košickým kraji (on the Slovak side). The next editions of Interreg are becoming increasingly popular in Poland and Slovakia including its recognition by experts as well as the implementation of a cross-border effect.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-205
Author(s):  
Łukasz Wróblewski

Cross-border regional economic ties in the EU have been the subject of numerous studies across various academic fields. A special dose of attention, however, has been paid to the ties between the EU border regions. This is no doubt related to the intensification of European integration, in particular at the regional level. One source of particular impact on border regions is the economy of the common market. Surprisingly enough, this economy has not found its proper reflection in the research on border regions and their problems in the light of the broadly defined European regional studies. As a consequence, it is necessary to carry out an in-depth analysis of the literature on cross-border cooperation and economic integration in order to capture the impact of the single market on cross-border relations. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to analyze the economic determinants of cross-border economic ties between the EU regions. To this end, the text begins with an overview of (1) the key characteristics of the common market, followed by (2) the impact of market economics on the regional ties, with particular emphasis on the border regions. The problem has been illustrated on the basis of the Polish-German borderland. The conducted examinations indicate that the economic ties between border regions vary in intensity. At the same time, the vicinity of the border is often insufficient as a factor ensuring a high degree of intensity in the movement of production factors or business relations across the border. It is market mechanisms rather than the location on the border that comprise the primary determinant in this regard. The primary focus of this study is the movement of production factors. The methodology of this text has been based primarily on the analysis of the subject literature on the notions of market economics, optimum currency area, and the broadly defined European regional studies.


Europa XXI ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre Nagy ◽  
András Ricz ◽  
Renata Fekete

Researching the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina as a region of Serbia and an European Union (EU) border region, we have long been concerned with the raison d’être of cross-border programmes, their impact, sustainability and long-term results. Against that background, the current study is focused on the results of the 2014-2020 cycle. The region of Vojvodina has neighbouring external borders with three EU Member States. While the partner countries have already applied for almost 100% of the available amounts, the implementation of projects and thus the payment of grants is only 50% effected so far. Our intention has been to examine the Vojvodina region in terms of cross-border programmes based on already completed projects and running along the lines of different Priorities. The Programme Areas of the four (Hungarian-Serbian, Croatian-Serbian, Romanian-Serbian and Serbia-Bosnia and Hercegovina) Cross-border cooperation programmes do overlap significantly. Primarily, we have been researching the territorial distribution of each, by reference to the locations of project owners and of project activities; as well as the related networking character of the projects implemented in Vojvodina in the Interreg-IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance) 2014-2020 programming period. It is then in this context that we examine the focal and connection points of the cross-border connections, in this way potentially indicating deficiencies in regard to sustainable project implementation. Without claiming to be exhaustive, we have also sought to reference impeding circumstances relating to a barrier effect that is obviously of particular importance given the fact that external borders of the EU are involved.


Author(s):  
К. Kutsab-Bonk

The current stage of European integration of Ukraine is determined by the intensification of partnership relations with the EU in the all planes of socio-economic interaction. In particular, it concerns development of cross-border cooperation and capacity of cross-border markets potential. Because of that the problems of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and EU today becomes more urgent. One of the key criteria of successful cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and the EU is the alignment of proportions of economic development on different sides of the border. In this sense, an important indicator of the quality of transboundary cooperation is cross-border convergence of regions. It reflects the socio-economic effect from implementation of transboundary projects and plays an important role in the context of leveling the existing threats and challenges of cross-border economic, social and information security. Alignment the quality of life and standards of economic development on different sides of the border eliminates a number of risks associated with the spread of destructive forms of cross-border cooperation, such as smuggling at cross-border markets, illegal labor migration, corruption at the border crossing etc. The priority instrument of transboundary convergence spreading is the institutionalization of cross-border space. First of all it concerns the formation of the legal support, oriented to the deployment of convergent processes. In addition, institutionalization concern such key elements of transboundary cooperation as the functioning of cross-border institutions, the eradication of transboundary institutional dysfunction, and a decrease the level of transaction costs of participants of cross-border markets. Important way to stimulation of cross-border convergence is the formation of joint cross-border brands for each of cross-border regions between Ukraine and the EU. On this basis, should be developed appropriate strategies for development of cross-border markets. Such strategies should ensure the maximum use of socio-economic potential of corresponding cross-border regions, and also should form grounds for the spread of convergent processes within them.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 24-32
Author(s):  
T. V. Sokolska ◽  
S. P. Polishchuk

The article considers the role and place of public authorities in shaping the policy of effective cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and the EU taking into account the national interests.Particular attention is paid to the principles and features of territorial cooperation, taking into account the specifics of the EU’s external cooperation as well as the interests of the participating countries.The basic principles of the cooperation are determined on the basis of connections as well as contractual interregional and interstate relations, in compliance with the national legislation and respect for the international obligations of the states that are subjects of contractual relations; the thematic objectives are defined.The current state of Ukraine and the EU countries cross-border cooperation development is characterized and the main factors limiting this process are outlined. The most significant ones are the insufficient level of the national economic development and inconformity of the national legislation with European standards; lack of well-balanced management at the local level; the impossibility of implementing international projects of economic and social development due to ineffective management; lack of proper infrastructure; lack of marketing which aims to facilitate the existing resource potential of the border regions; sparking interethnic conflicts; the lack of skilled personnel in different spheres of establishing effective cooperation between the authorities, business and the public, etc. are also among them.Lack of sufficient financial resources and managerial powers in local administrations, in particular, for establishing the information infrastructure necessary for the cooperation with the authorities of the foreign countries regions and the development of financial projects is a specific problem of cross-border cooperation.The role of international projects and regional programs such as EU4Business, cross-border cooperation (Black Sea, Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland), EU programs, such as ERASMUS, HORIZON (61 projects amounting to 11.95 million euros were announced in 2016), COSME (May 2016) and their role in improving the socio-economic development of the border regions as well as solving common problems in ecology, health, safety and security, promoting the living conditions of citizens are grounded in the paper.The role of the united territorial communities (UTC) in cross-border cooperation activating, in particular their participation in international projects is grounded and the results of this activity in the Transcarpathia are presented. Insufficient level of professional training of public authorities representatives is pointed out. It is proved that cross-border cooperation is one of the main economic mechanisms of attracting foreign investments and grant funds for the economy modernization, for new jobs creation through the small business development, attraction of innovative technologies, access to the European market and the entry of Ukraine into the European community in the current economic situation.The expediency of working out the coherent effective state policy of cross-border cooperation with the EU, in which the legal, institutional and financial instruments should be clearly defined, along with the determined means of its implementation and mandatory public monitoring of the results is emphasized. The development of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and the EU countries, ensuring a competitive economy running, the effective development of international trade, improvement of conditions and support of entrepreneurship, can be realized under the condition of implementation of the policy of public administration at the regional level.


Europa XXI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 119-137
Author(s):  
Martin Guillermo Ramirez

The European Union (EU) territorial development and cohesion have been supported by European institutions for decades, but they currently face a critical moment: the COVID-19 pandemic and European coordination gaps have to be added to previously-existing difficulties, such as the growing climate-related and demographic challenges, and the wave of Euroscepticism, nationalism and populism. Viruses do not recognise borders, but the EU is still divided between those thinking that the economy should prevail over politics and those thinking otherwise. European citizens living in border areas know very well that we need a common approach (and a stronger commitment) to the preservation of our values and rights, as well as to the definitive positioning of the EU as a global player. Integration starts at the bottom and moves across borders. The legacy of cohesion and territorial stability that the EU leaves for future generations will depend on how it protects and strengthens cross-border cooperation at this stage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (15) ◽  
pp. 138-159
Author(s):  
Ineta Zykiene ◽  
Rūta Laučienė ◽  
Rasa Daugėlienė ◽  
Aistė Leskauskienė

The article analyses the strengthening of the competitiveness of countries based on crossborder cooperation through the prism of international trade indicators. Due to the increase in international competition, countries, especially small economies, are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their position in the global market and remain competitive if this position is pursued individually. It is therefore necessary to review competition strategies and reassess opportunities and competitive advantages, as well as to promote coopetition between border region companies at institutional level. The article presents a new approach to regional competitiveness, which is achieved not through the development of the competitive advantages of the regions of individual countries, but through their cooperation and thus achieving common benefits. This is particularly relevant for border regions, as their uniqueness allows them to exploit cross-border region cooperation, which can generate added value by utilising the potential of cooperating regions to complement each other and become a competitive hub for economic growth. Only a strategic partnership based on regional cooperation will promote cooperation between manufacturers in different regions and ensure the achievement of co-creation and international development goals. The article analyses the case of Lithuania and Latvia as an example of cross-border cooperation, as internationally these countries are often matched and treated as one region, but in fact they compete fiercely with each other for better positions in foreign markets. This also shows that Lithuania’s and Latvia’s foreign trade with the European Union (hereinafter - the EU) accounted for the largest share of their foreign trade. Secondary statistical data of the EU-28 Eurostat of 2010 - 2019 and Finger Kreinin, RCA, and Lafay indices were used for the study. After assessing the convergence of the Lithuanian and Latvian export structure according to the FKI index during the study and finding that the export structure of these countries is very similar, the relative comparative advantage of exports by individual product sectors was assessed on the basis of the RCA index and the comparative advantage on the basis of the LAFAY index. The study showed that both countries had comparative advantages in the same product groups. The identification of common points of contact has highlighted economic activities, the development of which could be given more attention through the cooperation between the countries, and which would ensure overall economic benefits. The article concludes with strategic recommendations and measures to promote cross-border cooperation and increase the region’s competitiveness. The article contributes to the regional economic subject literature, as the concept of cross-border region competitiveness is developed by promoting not the competition of individual regions, but their cooperation by discovering common similarities in economic development. The article presents methodological logic and empirical calculations that would allow policy makers to develop cooperation strategies with those border regions with which it is expedient to cooperate for greater economic benefits. Promoting regional development and reducing regional disparities not only between regions within the same country but also between different countries requires the patient and consistent work of governments, businesses and academia, as well as individual communities, to develop measures and initiatives to promote cross-border cooperation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Borislav Stojkov ◽  
Ana Nikolov

Cultural cross-border cooperation includes all fields of cross-border cooperation and gives base for main connections and interactions. Without strengthening cultural cross-border cooperation, it is impossible to build significant relations between neighbors. Culture, as a foundation, an activator and a purpose of development in cross-border regions, represents a cardinal and conditional factor of cross-border cooperation. Today's situation in the Balkans reveals ethnic diversity of this region and territorial dispersion of ethnic groups. This implies at the same time great cultural diversity as well as dispersal of various national cultures over the Balkan's states. During the 20th century Serbia and Bulgaria have very complex political and intrastate relations. But in the last 10 years there have been significant improvements in the cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Bulgaria. The results of these improvements are established Euro-regions and implemented cross-border projects between these two countries. Existing Euro-regions between Serbia and Bulgaria created links between various local authorities and made excellent basis for cross-border initiatives and joint projects to promote common interests across the border and cooperation for the common good of the border areas populations. The well managed cultural cross-border cooperation between these two countries will provide a clear view of common features and raise common identity for the region, contribute to tolerance and understanding between people in this area and enable them to overcome the peripheral status of the border region in their countries and improve the living conditions of the population.


Author(s):  
Eva Poledníková ◽  
Jaroslav Urminský

After more than 30 years of Interreg programmes implementation, citizens and local stakeholders keep facing persistent challenges on the European border land when interacting across the border. Objective of the paper is to provide an overview of opportunities and obstacles of cross-border cooperation and analyze the future perspectives and challenges of cross border regions’ development in the EU. Paper also reacts on the actual Covid-19 pandemic situation where borders in the EU are again under subject of attention. Based on the EU cross-border survey 2020, these challenges are especially of language, legal and administrative nature. To reduce undue complications in carrying out certain activities across internal EU borders, especially in the fields of services, EU regional authorities support the adoption of common mechanism and strategies as Border Focal Point or European Cross-Border Mechanism. In the next months, cross-border regions will face to challenges of economic and social recovery after the limitation of cross-border activities related to coronavirus restrictions.


Author(s):  
Timea Kulchar

The article is devoted to the experience of Hungary in the development of Euro-regional cross-border cooperation. It is clear that the aim of the Euro-regions of Hungary was to achieve a high level of cooperation. These are European territorial dimensions, where there is rapid and branched communication, a competitive economy, where the role and importance of the periphery are diminished, there is an extensive network of social and cultural ties, and that the multiethnic population in these border regions is particularly important. without conflict. At the formation stage, the Hungarian Euro-regions sought to adapt as effectively as possible the specific Western European model of the Euro-region. Interestingly, this was done very quickly compared to the Western European regions where the euro-regions were subject to time-checks. Particular attention was paid to the dynamics of the development of the Hungarian Euro-region of Western Pannonia. The Western Pannonia Euro-region was created on the then-eastern border of the EU, so the experience of Euro-regional cooperation gained by Hungary's western border regions is of considerable interest to Ukraine. Hungary's accession to the EU is functionally gradually changing the Euro-region of Western Pannonia, that is, changing the territorial development plans of the Euro-region. Given the geographical location of the Western Pannonia Euro-region, this Euro-region served as a model for cooperation between EU and non-EU border regions. It should also be noted that funding for joint cross-border projects is important. From the point of view of economic development of the border areas, the high, dynamic development of the economy and the activity of economic ties were still characteristic of the whole Euro-region. The study focuses on the Eastern Partnership initiative. Particularly noteworthy is the Eastern Partnership initiative put forward in May 2008 by Poland and Sweden, which proposed a deepening of relations with eastern neighbors covered by the European Neighborhood Policy, including Ukraine. The Eastern Partnership is, in essence, a continuation of the Neighborhood Policy, ie it means that no EU member states are currently expected to enter.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (47) ◽  
pp. 58-63
Author(s):  
V. A. Chebotarov ◽  
◽  
V. B. Thekhanivych ◽  

The development of cross-border cooperation (CBC) becomes extremely important due to modern geopolitical processes. Ukraine's entering the European integration space and its recognition by European partners requires coordination of efforts to develop cooperation with the EU member states and Ukraine's neighbors, above all. In order to use the potential of Euroregions within the CBC, it is necessary to reveal the essence of cooperation between the border regions of Ukraine and EU member states while creating and developing common Euroregions. It has become necessary to identify various hindrances to the CBC activation. In general, cross-border cooperation has a rich tradition in the old EU member states and is rapidly gaining importance for the new border regions, as well. This process brings new challenges and specific preconditions in each case, thus causing the development of specific solutions to the arising problems. Cross-border cooperation is an important instrument to develop border areas, and to form growth centers there due to the benefits of territorial division and cooperation; it is also an important component of the European integration process. This fact is emphasized in the Association Agreement between Ukraine, of the one part, and the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the other part. At the same time, due to a number of institutional, economic, organizational and financial reasons, the role and efficiency of Euroregional cooperation in the Ukrainian border regions is much less significant than those in the EU member states. The intensification of cross-border and Euroregional cooperation is a way of identifying and overcoming various development constraining factors, and thus will help to expand opportunities for the development of Ukraine’s border regions.


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