scholarly journals The HU-RO Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013: Insights Related to the Effectiveness of Using the European Funds

Author(s):  
Flavius Feier ◽  
Alina Badulescu

For decades, researchers and practitioners have ascertained that sustainability and effectiveness of the new European construction relies also on good relations between neighbouring countries. Efficient cross-border cooperation (CBC) between EU Member States is able to achieve one of the main objectives of the European Union: the territorial cohesion. Even the first actions were based on enthusiasm, spontaneous cooperation or diversity, in the present stage, the CBC has to move forward, from theoretical hypothesis and anticipation, to concrete and specific action, to implementing the evaluation results from previous cooperation projects and to design new policies and strategies. This paper addresses a key issue of CBC between Romania and Hungary: the efficient spending of funds allocated through the CBC Programme HU-RO 2007 - 2013, by analysing the data available at the end of 2015. Our research, based on the analysis of the funds allocated and spent within HU-RO CBC program, attempt to assess the fulfilment of the undertaken indicators (individual or at aggregated level), the absorption rate of available funds and future development prospects. Our research revealed that, overall, there is a clear trend of improving the quality of projects selected and implemented both in Romania and in Hungary, put in evidence by the high degree of the funds’ absorption and the achievement of the most of the assumed indicators. However, the assessment of the quality of projects submitted and selected has to be completed with the analysis of the sustainability and impact of these cross-border projects. Our article also focuses on revealing various aspects and results of HU-RO CBC 2007-2013 projects, effects and limits or challenges to long-run sustainability. The paper also points out conclusions and provides further recommendations in order to ensure the sustainability and the effectiveness of future CBC programs, particularly for the 2014-2020 programing period.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Sabina Sanetra-Półgrabi ◽  
Aleksander Sapiński

The main aim of this article is to present the concept of the Euroregion as a platform for cooperation in the area of social security. The issue itself needs to be constantly updated not only because of the constant challenges facing the European Union and other countries. The outlook character of the article presents a view on the importance of cooperation between self-government administration bodies and other subjects of economic life for the development of cooperation within the Euroregions. The article mainly focuses on the fight against often negative stereotypes and undertakings whose task is to increase the standard of economic life by increasing activities aimed at improving the quality of Euroregional cooperation. The Euroregion "Beskidy" was selected for the study, which is diverse in ethnic, sociological, historical, but also economic and social terms. Its unique features have allowed the authors to more clearly emphasize the message of the article. Tourism and its international, Euro-regional character is also an important element of cooperation. In order to carry out the research that resulted in this article, the methods of researching the sources sucked in in terms of critical analysis of literature were used, as well as juxtaposing them with the previously conducted research on Euroregions and safety by the authors. On the basis of the analysis, the article presents a significant contribution of social integration and cross-border cooperation to the development of the Euroregion as well as to the development of social security as a non-military part of the research topic. The creation of new types of innovative pro-social undertakings opens up the Euroregions, and thus the Member States to further internal integration and intensification of activities to strengthen socio-economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-674
Author(s):  
Attila Virág ◽  
Gergő Túri

Abstract In the spring of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as one of the most complex and most serious challenges of the European Union, threatening the lives and quality of life of European citizens and the economy and healthcare systems of EU Member States. The fight against the pandemic required the collaboration of many different disciplines and sectors, and over time it had become clear that co-operation between EU Member States and EU organisations is essential for successful crisis management. This cross-border healthcare emergency has seriously tested the mechanisms set by EU treaties and legislations, as well as the organisations responsible for shaping and implementing the European Union’s public health policy. Over the past year we have gained valuable data on how the system of rules and task sharing mechanisms have supported the fight against the pandemic and its effects. By reviewing and examining our findings, we may find answers about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the European Union’s public health policy and how it can be further developed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 449-454
Author(s):  
Kamen Petrov ◽  

The exhibition presents the problems of cross-border cooperation and opportunities for partnership. Within the European Union, conditions are created for regional development on the national territory, as well as for border and cross-border cooperation. In this direction, the article outlines the processes of building a number of Euroregions, which are designed to promote regional development. This report will clarify some of the reasons for their construction, their role and what model of cooperation is available within the European Economic Area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-43
Author(s):  
Elena Grad-Rusu

Since the beginning, the European Union has believed and promoted the idea that an increase in cross-border cooperation contributes to enhanced European integration. This means that cross-border cooperation supports sustainable development along the EU’s internal and external borders, helps reduce differences in living standards and addresses common challenges across these borders. The aim of this paper is to examine the cross-border initiatives between Romania and Hungary with a special focus on the INTERREG projects, which have provided new sources of funding for cross-border activities and regional development in the RomanianHungarian border area. In this context, the cooperation has intensified in the last two decades, especially since Romania joined the EU in 2007. The research proves that cross-border projects and initiatives represent an important source of funding for this type of intervention, when no similar funding sources are available.


Author(s):  
Sławomir Partycki ◽  
Dawid Błaszczak

Abstract Summary Subject and purpose of work: The purpose of the study is to analyse the structure and the relation of the Polish-Belarusian cross-border cooperation network, to identify the key nodes in the network, to analyse the dynamics of connections between the actors, and to identify the most important changes in the structure of the network. Materials and methods: The article quotes the results of analyses of cross-border projects from 2004- 2017. The analysis includes projects completed, applicants, and partners of projects. The network analysis was carried out using Ucinet and NetDraw software. Results: The structure of the Polish-Belarusian cooperation is dominated by several large nodes, on the other hand there are many micronetworks - of three or four nodes, which are connected with each other. Conclusions: The Polish-Belarusian cooperation is of great importance for the international relations of the Polish state. Projects carried out by entities located at the border strengthen the cooperation, bringing a number of measurable benefits (hard and soft), depending on nature of the projects, as well as frequency and scale of the undertaken activities.


Author(s):  
Yu. Lemko

The article considers one of the most common and most effective forms of cross-border cooperation between the countries of the European Union, namely the European groupings of territorial cooperation. The role of territorial cooperation in the European Union is constantly growing as it is the basis of political, economic and social cohesion, which is an integral part of Ukrainian society. The development of territorial cooperation is due to the change and development of national, regional or local participants in this process. The Schengen Agreement, the common internal market and the common currency, as well as the emergence of numerous new cross-border projects and the development of cross-border territories, are integral parts of this process. The article examines the EGTC Tisza, which was established in October 2015 in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine together with the Hungarian region of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and the municipality of Kisvárd. It is noted that the union has received broad social and political support from both sides at the regional and local levels. This event was decisive for both Ukraine and the EU, as for the first time such an association was created with the participation of a non-EU country. This was a long-awaited step, as the participating regions have long been cooperating together in various fields, including the implementation of grant projects. Many issues need to be addressed together, including flood protection, the rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants, transport and the development of economic ties. We can say that today Euroregions are the most developed form of cross-border cooperation in Ukraine, but their activities also show a range of problems that hinder their effective functioning. This includes a large number of participants with different cultural and economic characteristics, disparities in the legislation and administration of the country, the low level of business structures and non-governmental organizations. Issues such as the lack of a systematic approach to the organization of Euroregional cooperation, the low level of regional government and the lack of financial support are also worth mentioning.


Author(s):  
Thomas Faist

Europe, and the European Union in particular, can be conceived as a transnational social space with a high degree of transactions across borders of member states. The question is how efforts to provide social protection for cross-border migrants in the EU reinforce existing inequalities (e.g. between regions or within households), and lead to new types of inequalities (e.g. stratification of labour markets). Social protection in the EU falls predominantly under the purview of individual member states; hence, frictions between different state-operated protection systems and social protection in small groups are particularly apparent in the case of cross-border flows of people and resources. Chapter 5 examines in detail the general social mechanisms operative in cross-border forms of social protection, in particular, exclusion, opportunity hoarding, hierarchization, and exploitation, and also more concrete mechanisms which need to be constructed bottom-up.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 929-956
Author(s):  
Mateusz Wąsik

The purpose of the paper is to present the tax consequences resulting from the lack of recognition of registered partnerships and same-sex marriages in certain EU member states, taking the example of Poland. These aspects are usually perceived as discrimination of citizens based on their sexual orientation. The author of this paper has focused on various aspects of possible discrimination, mainly concerning discrimination on the grounds of personal taxation, including inheritance and gift taxes. For these purposes, the author analysed the domestic tax rules differentiating couples living in a marriage and couples without that possibility. These legal provisions have been analysed together with the most recent domestic jurisprudence. Furthermore, the paper presents comparative analyses of domestic rules with EU law. Due to the lack of case-law oriented towards fiscal discrimination due to sexual orientation, the relevant CJEU (the Court of Justice of the European Union, hereinafter: the CJEU) and ECHR (the European Court of Human Rights, hereinafter: the ECHR) case-law have been recalled to reveal possible violations of fundamental freedoms and tax discrimination. The author makes a connection between the lack of proper regulations implemented in the domestic law with the unjustified differentiation of cross-border families on tax grounds. In the long run, only the harmonisation of personal taxation at the EU level can lead to a resolution to this situation. Alternatively, as an interim solution, the relevant ECHR judgment may be of assistance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 153-170
Author(s):  
Michał Czykierda

In September 2015, the European Commission announced the first actions of its plan to build a Capital Markets Union in Europe. The undertaken restructuring of the financing model is designed to make a shift in the main channel through which enterprises raise investment funds, from loans to capital, and – as a result – contribute to more dynamic growth in the EU Member States. I describe the key features of the Commission’s plan and discuss the economic rationale behind it. The plan has many strengths but also some weaknesses, such as limited ambition in the supervision and enforcement of securities regulations. Other challenges to the development of European capital markets include the financial transactions tax, the low-interest-rate environment, cultural reasons, and potential political opposition. My paper deals first of all with highlighting the structure of the financial sector in the European Union. It provides a overview of the role of the different financial and no financial sectors in offering capital funds to accomplish the needs of households, companies, governments, etc.. I also describe the history of capital market integration in the EU. The paper also analyses some important aspects of the implementation of the Capital Markets Union, which will be a key step in completing the EU Single Market. I concluded that the integration of the capital markets will be a strong step in supporting economic growth and competitiveness in the EU in the long run.


2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Badulescu ◽  
Alina Badulescu ◽  
Catalin-Adrian Bucur

Cross-border cooperation is an important mean to facilitate good neighborhood relations between communities divided by political frontiers. The institutional cross-border cooperation in the field of public services creates various opportunities and advantages for local communities on both sides of the border, helps to protect the safety of people and properties, and acts as an innovative model in providing high quality public services. Within this context, our paper presents, starting from a theoretical approach, the results of a survey-based research conducted among representatives and experts involved in public order and civil protection institutions, across the Hungarian-Romanian border. The paper focuses on revealing aspects such as objectives and results, effects and limits, reciprocity and long-run sustainability of the cross-border cooperation actions. The paper also draws conclusions and provides further recommendations.


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