Sobre as dinâmicas de cooperação e/ou competição na Eurorregião Galiza-Norte de Portugal

Abstract

At present, relations between Galicia and Portugal seem to be characterised by a certain paradox. On the one hand, since the 1990s, the EU has promoted territorial cooperation through financial contributions (INTERREG) for the implementation of joint projects. Later, it provided a legal-institutional framework through the regulation of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). This cooperation, especially crossborder cooperation, is conceived as a useful tool for improving the competitiveness of certain local and regional areas (barrier effect) and for bringing citizens closer together. At the same time, in the context of globalisation and the internationalisation of markets, states are practising a “best place policy”. They try to create the most suitable conditions within their borders for attracting investment and capital appreciation. In this way, competitive dynamics are generated between territories. This article aim to carry out an analysis of the dynamics of competition and cooperation that can be detected in the Galicia-North Portugal Euroregion. To this end, we will analyse the discourse of the main actors and agents involved in the productive processes in the Euroregion: politicians, business leaders and trade unions.