Governance of cross-border regional economies. Comparative studies of territorial integration of border regions in EU

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The 1990s have seen a strong surge in the number of cross-border regions all over Western and Eastern Europe. This research examines cross-border cooperation (CBC) and associated cross-border regions (euro-regions) emerging within EU. Firstly, it analyses the economic cooperation between border regions on internal land borders and its effects in terms of deepening integration, increasing economic cohesion. Secondly, it analyses cross-border cooperation between border regions on the EU's external borders in terms of increasing economic cohesion and soft security strategy. Thirdly, it analyses governance institutions of CBC as an articulation of horizontal and vertical networks. CBC represents an example of the building of multi-level governance networks, including the EU Commission, central state and regional, authorities. It concludes by linking cross-border regions and their various forms to institutional conditions in specific countries as well as the effects of European regional policy (Interreg program). Euro-regions and integration of border regions are characterized as terrains for new opportunities for existing actors and "Europe of regions". The discussion is organized in two parts ; (1) cross-border cooperation and European governance ; (2) cross-border economic governance with reference to the implementation of InterregIIIA program.