Governance of Transnational Cooperation in the EU Regional Policy

Abstract

This paper examines governance of transnational cooperation in the EU regional policy, tracing its evolution from a narrow cooperation of the first period to a more comprehensive policy including spatial aspect in the framework of Community Initiative INTERREG. With the development of the European integration, the status of regions (hereafter the same meaning as subrational governments) in the EU has changed remarkably. Having established a direct contact with the European Commission and a participation in the political process, regions are gradually becoming important actors in EU politics alongside national governments and the EU institutions. Multi-Level Governance accounts for this unique nature of the European regional policy. Regions began to form horizontal networks of the cross-border cooperation bypassing national boundaries. It could constitute a new political space at transnational level alongside with the three fundamental levels: the EU and the national and regional levels.With the beginning of INTERREG IIC at the end of 1990s, the aspect of spatial planning has been incorporated in these cooperations. The first grand design for EU territory has been crystallized in European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP).It combines vertical and horizontal networks for better management of the EU space based on the fundamental political aims of the EU as an economic and social cohesion, preservation of natural and cultural heritages, and balanced competitiveness of the EU.However, as the EU does not have the competence in the field of spatial planning, the question of how to incorporate the idea of ESDP to EU public policies remains. Moreover, the difference in administrative systems and traditions of spatial approach between member states could be an obstacle. This problem became even more complicated with the enlargement. Therefore the spatial planning for post-ESDP process requires further discussion.In conclusion, this paper states that although many problems still remain, the idea of the EU spatial planning gives a new role to regions of member states connecting them to the concept of the EU territory as a whole. Regions are not only the administrative units of the member states, but they also assume a pivotal role to pursue transnational cooperation involving local societies. In this sense, transnational cooperation became more important for territorial cohesion as well as for the success of the European Integration.