Harmonization of the strategic priorities of bordering regions based on the strategy of «smart» specialization

Abstract

The most important direction of cross-border cooperation of the EAEU countries is the development and use of tools to reduce the lack of knowledge of the Unions regions about each others potential in the field of industrial and scientific-technological development, identify the interconnectedness of regions and stimulate the development of interregional projects. In this respect, another major integration grouping of countries the European Union has already gained sufficient experience in developing strategies for cross-border and interregional cooperation to enhance the capacity of research and innovation, as well as the harmonization of strategic priorities of territorial development, where the European smart specialization is used as a methodological basis. The purpose of this article is to develop methodological principles of smart specialization in the implementation of cross-border cooperation based on the experience of the EU and other countries, proposals for their use in the development and implementation of programs and projects of cross-border cooperation of the regions of the Russian Federation. The authors have identified that the specificity of harmonization of strategic priorities of bordering regions is based on the identification of regional priorities from internal point of view and their subsequent interregional harmonization in two dimensions: 1) an innovative one, involving the formation of a cross-border regional innovation system; and 2) a socio-economic one, based on the potential of the border situation when forming a strategy for the socio-economic development of bordering territories. The conditions for the harmonization of strategic priorities of bordering regions are: 1) common problems, goals and objectives in the field of innovation, sustainable and digital development; 2) strengths and key competencies of participants of cross-border regions; 3) interested parties such as: territorial authorities, HEIs and research organizations, business, only if they have motivation in solving the identified problems.