State regulation of cross-border cooperation at the regional level

Problem setting. The issue of state regulation of cross-border cooperation turns out to be increasingly topical in terms of global European integration processes. Considering higher living standards and opportunities for social development in the neighboring countries of Ukraine, the expansion of cooperation of the border territories is worth doing for the purpose of their further development and more efficient resolution of common problems, which will contribute to the social and economic development of the border territories. Recent research and publications analysis. The issue of cross-border cooperation has been addressed in studies of R. Bilyk, T. Brus, F. Vashchuk, S. Horbatiuk, O. Horbach, I. Zhurba, Z. Zazuliak, V. Kovaliov, Y. Navruzov, R. Pasichnyi, I. Studennikov, S. Tkalenko, et al. Different aspects of formation and implementation of the state regional policy of European cross-border cooperation have been outlined in works of the scientists V. Vakulenko, I. Dehtiariova, I. Krynychna, V. Kuibida, Y. Makohon, N. Mikula, S. Romaniuk, and others.Highlighting previously unsettled parts of the general problem. Given numerous studies of the mentioned problem, domestic scientists have not addressed the issues of state regulation of cross-border cooperation and specifics of the state policy of Ukraine in this area sufficiently. Paper main body. Formation of a new state policy in the context of integration of Ukraine into the European Union stipulates the importance of searching for new ways of cross-border cooperation as a vital part of the regional policy, and put an emphasis on cross-border cooperation in the policy of partnership of our country with European countries. Considering that western regions of Ukraine, besides ETC, can establish EGTC, it is important to use such forms as clusters, partnership, industrial zones, etc., more efficiently within cross-border cooperation. The aim of cross-border cooperation is to seek a mutually beneficial format of the implementation of national interests and strategical priorities of the outlined partners. As Ukraine as the Republic of Poland must embrace in their partnership the essential areas of international cooperation for maximum rapprochement with the European Union. Ukraine should make every effort at the state level to increase the competitiveness of the border regions by activating and developing cross-border cooperation, which in turn would contribute to the establishment and advancement of economical, ecological, cultural, scientific, social, technological, and travel relations between the subjects of those relationships. Conclusions of the research and prospects for further studies. The conducted research allows concluding that the potential of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union is not used to the full. European territorial structures involving Ukrainian regions did not become an organizational and financial platform for coordination of cross-border cooperation. In order for Ukraine to implement the intention to integrate into the European Union and deepen its international cooperation, collaboration within the European Territorial Cooperation must be activated. Specific for the Western Region geographic proximity with the European Union, experience of cross-border cooperation, and existing network of institutions should contribute to the activation of development of the region and multidirectional collaboration between the Ukrainian regions and EU countries. Therefore, it is worth to remove all the obstacles on the way to the reformation of the tools for cross-border cooperation, and promote the formation of friendly relationships and improvement of teamwork between countries of the Western Border Zone.