Abstract
The problems of the formation of international regions on the borders of Russian Federation and EU countries after the deterioration of relations between them in 2014 became more complicated due to the reduction of mutual economic, social, political and other cross-border ties. However, such links remain, especially at the local level, as both sides benefit from them. Polish and Russian authors are trying to find common approaches in assessing the situation and explaining the need in the development of relations between cities, territories and businesses located on both sides of the border, which contributes to the formation of cross-border regions. The authors use literature, materials of cross-border cooperation programs and their own research experience, identifying factors and features of cross-border interactions at the Russian-Polish border. The article presents a SWOT analysis of the formation of the Russian-Polish cross-border region – a comparison, on the one hand, of strengths and weaknesses, and on the other, opportunities and threats to its development. It is shown that in 2014–2019 political factors prevailed over socio-economic ones, which negatively affected the development of the regions along the border. Nevertheless, in 2018 the implementation of joint projects within the framework of the Russia-Poland cross-border cooperation program co-financed by the EU and both countries continued. Although the number of mutual crossings of the border has decreased, it remains quite important. In Kaliningrad, there is a Polish visa center that promptly issues Schengen visas, free of charge for scientists and teachers, students and some other categories of the population. In the summer 2019, free electronic visas were established in Kaliningrad region, which increased the influx of tourists, including Polish. The authors hope that the objective laws of the world market will lead to the intensification of mutual relations and the formation of the Russian-Polish cross-border region, which would contribute to increasing the international competitiveness of its parts on both sides of the border.
Highlights
It is widely accepted that the increasing regionalisation of the late 20th century, including the formation of international regions of various hierarchical levels, was caused by growing globalisation
The South-Eastern Baltic, which is a homogenous region in this respect, has distinctive cultural and historical commonalities
To evaluate the factors behind the formation of a Russian–Polish cross-border region, we carried out SWOT analysis
Summary
It is widely accepted that the increasing regionalisation of the late 20th century, including the formation of international regions of various hierarchical levels, was caused by growing globalisation. The specifics of the situation in different countries are revealed by Kolosov and Więckowski (2018), who have identified a number of areas in cross-border research. Kolosov et al (2018a, 2018b) give a clear picture of the dynamics of change, which was caused by shifts in political relations between the parties, at the Russia–EU and the Russian– Polish border. These change affected the conditions in which the Russian–Polish cross-border region comprising Russia’s Kaliningrad region and Poland’s Warmian-Masurian and partly Pomeranian voivodeships was developing
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