Cooperation Between the Warmia and Mazury Region and the Kaliningrad Region and its Perspectives

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the cooperation linking the Warmia and Mazury Region (Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship) in Poland and the Kaliningrad Region (Kaliningrad Oblast) in Russia. The main aim is to show it from a practical point of view, namely through actual documents, initiatives and actions initiated and implemented in bilateral contacts. The paper begins by looking at strategic documents (intergovernmental, interregional) which establish the framework for collaborations. Several forms of political cooperation are also described: both those initiated by regional authorities and those governed by state bodies with the participations of regions. It is also shown how some of them have been influenced by international situation and the Polish-Russian political crisis. Then it concentrates on selected areas of cooperation with some examples of common events and tools dedicated to support Polish-Russian initiatives. In this context special attention is given to the sector of tourism. This text also considers how the introduction of the Local Border Traffic changed the reality of cross-border cooperation. It also shows the meaning of the Poland-Russia Cross-border Cooperation Programme as a very concrete tool fostering bilateral relations. Lastly, in its final part the text points out a few issues worth monitoring in the coming months since they may have impact on Polish-Russian interregional cooperations.