Development Of Cross-border Cooperation Research Articles

The Past, Present, and Future of Cross-Border Cooperation between Municipalities in the South Bohemian Region: A Case Study

The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive view of matters of cross-border cooperation, with the main emphasis on the typology and development of structures supporting cross-border cooperation in a selected region of the Czech Republic (South Bohemian Region). The study focuses on the analysis of changes in the methods and ways of cooperation of municipalities in the programming periods 2007–2013 and 2014–2020 (Euroregions, cross-border impulse centers, European territorial cooperation groups, partner and friendly cities, etc.). The research not only analyzes the actual development of cooperation between municipalities in the region studied, but also identifies the prerequisites of and barriers to cross-border cooperation. The data obtained show a significant decrease in the interest of municipalities in cross-border cooperation within the conditions of the Czech Republic in recent years. The current situation with regard to the existence and development of cross-border cooperation in 2024 is not very satisfactory, although it is paradoxically an area strongly supported by the EU Cohesion Policy. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a comprehensive analysis of cross-border cooperation in the South Bohemian Region. A thorough review of existing literature on cross-border cooperation and related policies was conducted to establish a theoretical framework. The practical part of the study is based on field research carried out by the author in 2007–2013 and 2014–2020. This research examined the level of cooperation between the 623 municipalities in the South Bohemian Region (in 2016, there were 624 municipalities in the region). In the case of cross-border impulse centers, the input data were represented by e-mail and telephone inquiries to representatives of individual municipalities and the websites of Euroregions. To conduct a comprehensive study on cross-border cooperation between municipalities in the South Bohemian Region, logical and scientific methods were used. Universal methods of logic ensured the correctness and orderliness of the thought process, with abstraction identifying key elements. Synthesis was used to divide the study into parts, analyze them in detail, and integrate them into a comprehensive analysis. Scientific methods included analysis to examine the current status and frameworks of cross-border cooperation and comparison to identify similarities or differences between the Czech Republic and neighboring countries.

The role of local self-government bodies and local state administrations in the development of cross-border cooperation in the field of healthcare

The article examines the role of local self­government bodies and local state administrations in the development of cross-border cooperation in the field of health care. It was determined that currently, the development of cross-border cooperation in the field of health care is particularly important for Ukraine with the member states of the European Union, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania in the conditions of existing challenges, external threats, and taking into account the European vector of Ukraine's development. It is necessary to overcome several legal and administrative obstacles that still exist today for the development of systemic cross-border cooperation in the field of health care. A significant role in the development of efficient and systematic cross-border cooperation in the field of health care belongs to local self­government bodies and local state administrations together with other participants of such cooperation aiming to provide citizens of Ukraine equal rights to access to quality medical care with citizens of the European Union. Such cooperation can develop through available Interreg programs 2021-2027, namely "Poland - Ukraine”, "Ukraine-Hungary- Slovakia-Romania”, and "Ukraine-Romania”. It has been established that local self-government bodies and local state administrations can ensure the development of cross-border cooperation in the field of health care through the respective powers granted to them. They can implement cross-border cooperation in the field of health care with relevant subjects and/or participants of such cooperation of neighboring states through the development and implementation of joint initiatives, measures, projects, programs and strategies, as well as to create the Euroregional Co-operation Groupings and European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation in order to develop an appropriate health care system for the population living in border regions.

SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF COMMODITY TRADE BETWEEN UKRAINE AND THE EU

At the current stage of the socio-economic development of Ukraine in the conditions of Russian aggression, the topical issue is the expansion of foreign economic relations with EU member countries. The purpose of the study is a spatial analysis of the features of regional differentiation of Ukraine’s commodity trade with the countries of the European Union in the context of expanding trade and economic relations after signing the Agreement on a free trade zone with the EU and granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. Such research methods as structural and spatial analysis, statistical and correlation analysis, and typological analysis were used. The dynamics of commodity trade between Ukraine and the EU in 2001–2021 are analyzed and the main trends in interstate trade in goods were identified. It has been revealed that the general trend of bilateral trade relations with the countries of the European Union in the 21st century is generally similar to the trend of the turnover of foreign commodity trade between Ukraine and all countries of the world. It has been established that the spatial differentiation of Ukraine’s commodity trade with the EU clearly shows great variability and asymmetry of export and import indicators. The dependence between the level of economic development of Ukraine’s regions and the commodity trade volume with EU countries is traced. A characteristic feature is the spatial heterogeneity of the distribution of commodity trade in Ukraine’s regions according to the predominant directions of foreign commodity trade relations. The western regions of Ukraine have the highest level of connectivity of commodity trade with the countries of the European Union, which is explained by better transport accessibility to EU markets and the development of cross-border cooperation. According to the main directions of trade flows and on the basis of a comparison of the connectivity and balance coefficients of commodity trade with EU countries, six types of Ukraine’s regions are identified. The novelty of the research is the identification of the features of regional differentiation and significant asymmetry in the commodity trade of Ukraine’s regions with the countries of the European Union based on the criterion of connectivity and symmetry of trade flows using spatial analysis.

Трансграничность как стратегический фактор развития туризма и выставочно-ярмарочной деятельности на Дальнем Востоке России

Under the influence of globalization and international economic integration, borders appear to be a strategic resource for the development, especially for the border regions of the country, where cross-border spaces and institutions are basically formed. The development of cross-border cooperation in the tourism trade show industries and international cultural exchange is a strategic direction for diversifying the economy of the Russian Far East. The article provides a general analysis of the incoming tourist flow and an OTSW- analysis of the Far Eastern border regions of Russia to justify the need of the development of these strategic directions of macroregion’s economy.

ESTONIAN ENERGY POLICY IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERN CHALLENGES

In today's political reality, the resilience and sustainability of Estonia's development depends on its ability to respond adequately to existing challenges and threats. Given the historical peculiarities of the development of the energy sector and the resulting dependence on Russian energy resources, energy independence is a key issue of national security. This raises the issue of developing the basic principles of energy policy, including the creation of new, potentially profitable gas and energy markets and the development of renewable energy. In developing its national energy sector, Estonia is taking into account EU initiatives aimed at overcoming dependence on Russian energy resources and transitioning to climate-neutral production. The subject of the study is the content and peculiarities of the Estonian energy policy formation. The purpose of the paper is to identify key areas and mechanisms for the implementation of Estonia's energy policy in the context of today's challenges. Research methodology: systematic approach, methods of analysis and generalization. The content of Estonia's energy policy is set out in a number of important documents, including the Strategy Estonia 2035 and the National Energy Development Plan until 2030. The key areas of energy policy implementation are synchronization with the power grid of continental Europe, participation in the formation of the European energy and gas market, renewable energy, development of cross-border cooperation in the energy sector, fulfillment of obligations under the European Green Deal to reduce CO2 emissions, and the role of shale production in Ida-Viru County. The issue of energy sustainability of Estonia and other countries in the Baltic-Finnish region is a key issue on the EU energy agenda. This is evidenced by the active public diplomacy of EU leaders to intensify cross-border cooperation of energy sector stakeholders in order to completely abandon Russian energy resources under the REPowerEU plan and to intensify the transition to climate-neutral production in the context of the European Green Deal. The EU's main energy security initiative is the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP), which implements various projects. Estonia uses both economic and political mechanisms to implement its energy policy. Economic mechanisms include active participation in strategic projects (Baltic Synchronization, Balticconnector), 75% of which are financed by the Connecting Europe Facility. The potential of cross-border cooperation, especially with the countries of the Baltic-Finnish region, aimed at intensifying the development of renewable energy and regional energy and gas markets, is actively used. Estonian government officials pay considerable attention to the formation of dialogue and cooperation among energy sector stakeholders, which is evidenced by their participation in various special events and declaration of their intentions for mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector. Research findings: the key areas of implementation of the Estonian energy policy are synchronization with the EU energy system, participation in the formation of regional gas and energy markets, and intensification of energy production from renewable sources. The implementation of Estonia's energy policy is correlated with EU initiatives and is carried out through a number of economic and political mechanisms.

The role of the knowledge elite in the development of cross-border cooperation and the culture of peace in the Balkans

The role of the knowledge elite in the development of cross-border cooperation and the culture of peace in the Balkans

Трансграничность как стратегический фактор развития туризма и выставочно-ярмарочной деятельности на Дальнем Востоке России

Under the influence of globalization and international economic integration, borders appear to be a strategic resource for the development, especially for the border regions of the country, where cross-border spaces and institutions are basically formed. The development of cross-border cooperation in the tourism trade show industries and international cultural exchange is a strategic direction for diversifying the economy of the Russian Far East. The article provides a general analysis of the incoming tourist flow and an OTSW- analysis of the Far Eastern border regions of Russia to justify the need of the development of these strategic directions of macroregion’s economy.

Географическая идентичность понятия «Большой Алтай» и перспективные направления трансграничного сотрудничества в регионе

Introduction. The Altai Mountains are a mountain system that is part of the sub latitudinal Altai-Sayan mountainous country. The mountains are the watershed between the basins of the Arctic Ocean and the drainleess region of Central Asia. This is the territory where the sources of the Irtysh and the Ob are located. Materials and research мethods. The article uses a regional approach to the study of a mountainous region. From the standpoint of the historical-geographical approach, the historical aspects of the formation of the transboundary essence of the Great Altai concept are revealed. Research results. The analysis of the origin of the understanding of the transboundary essence of Altai as a territory of cooperation is carried out. Expeditionary groups have been identified that have made a significant contribution to the understanding of the Great Altai. This made it possible to present the modern features of the economic, geographical and geopolitical position of the region. Discussion. A concept for the development of the region within the framework of the main areas of cooperation is proposed. The interests of Russia are indicated to promote the uniqueness of the territory and use its opportunities for tourism. Conclusion. The geographical position and natural resources make the Altai Mountains an important object in the development of cross-border cooperation. Since the 18th century scientists are actively exploring the territory for its effective use. The Great Altai has the prospect of becoming a trade and economic corridor between Russia, Mongolia and China. Resume. Since the beginning of the 2000s, forms of cross-border cooperation between the countries of the Greater Altai have appeared. The developed concept of the economic council within the framework of the ISS «Altai» will help to implement cooperation in various areas.

Legal and practical aspects of international cooperation of territorial communities through the prism of the implementation of the european neighbourhood policy

The legal grounds for establishing cooperation between local self-government bodies and territorial communities of foreign countries, which are subjects of cross-border cooperation are considered in the article.
 It has been established that local self-government bodies carry out their activities in accordance with and within the limits of current legislation. The basic international legal acts and legal acts of Ukraine, which regulate the process of formation and functioning of local self-government bodies, define the list of functions and powers exercised by such bodies independently, determine the role and place of territorial communities in the development of cross-border cooperation.
 The main factors that influence nowadays the formation and effective functioning of local communities are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the communities located within the Transcarpathian region on the state border with the member countries of the European Union. It has been established that such a geographical position, in turn, leads to the intensification of international and cross-border cooperation and contributes to the further sustainable development of territories.
 The subject of Ukraine's participation in the programs of the European Neighbourhood Policy (hereinafter - ENP) is disclosed, the main advantages are characterized and the existing shortcomings are identified. It has been studied that Ukraine takes part in a number of cross-border programs within the framework of the ENP and contributes both to the Europeanization of Ukrainian society and to an increase in the standard of living of the population in the border areas of countries that are partners in cross-border projects through international technical assistance projects.
 Another opportunity for the participation of local communities in the development of international cooperation, which is membership in the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is considered. A special role is given here to cities in communities and the wide possibilities of establishing municipal partnerships and the formation of national and international associations. It has been proven that the creation of such organizational forms of international cooperation and the participation of territorial communities in them is an additional stimulus for the development and implementation of joint international programs and projects between municipalities.

Legal status of cross-border cooperation bodies: regulatory framework

The article is devoted to the legal status research of the cross-border cooperation bodies, namely, the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation and the Аssociations of Euroregional cooperation as a institutional form of development of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union have been analyzed. The basic acts of the national legislation regulating cross-border cooperation are analyzed.
 Basing of the analysis of the legislation of Ukraine in the field of cross-border cooperation, it has been stated that the Law of Ukraine «On cross-border cooperation» discloses the content of the category "body of cross-border cooperation but does not specify its definition. While the legal status, procedure of creation and activity of such bodies of cross-border cooperation as a union of EGTC and a AEC have been considered in detal.
 Taking the above-mentioned into consideration, it is necessary to analyze some aspects of the legal status of the EGTC and the AEC and to regulate the creation and activities of these institutions. In order to determine the legal status of the bodies of cross-border cooperation, the purpose of the activity of such legal entities, regulated by the law, plays an essential role, which lays down the basic foundations for the regulation of its legal status.
 Studying the legal regulation of the functioning of such forms of cross-border cooperation with the status of a legal entity as a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation and Association of European Cooperation makes it possible to distinguish the characteristics of the body of cross-border cooperation as a whole, which distinguish this institutional form from another one and form the author’s definition of cross-border cooperation.

Cross-Border Cooperation vs “Territorial Issue”: Kuril Islands in the Period of Market Transformations

The article shows the specifics of interaction between the Kuril districts of the Sakhalin Oblast and foreign business at the initial stage of Russian market reforms. In the analysis, the author relies on the characterization of the behavior lines of the participants and the event series from the point of view of historical regionalism. It is concluded that the development of cross-border cooperation in the Kuril sub-region was strongly negatively affected by the counteraction policy of the Japanese authorities, who considered the returning the southern Kuril Islands under their jurisdiction a matter of the nearest future. The reaction of the Russian leadership to this challenge was uncertain and contradictory. All this has put the southern Kuril Islands in a situation of uncertainty about their future political fate. As a result, a model of foreign economic relations was formed here, which was almost completely reduced to the legal and illegal export of marine bioresources and only point interactions in the onshore economy, being a brake on the development of island territories and not contributing to their recovery from the permanent crisis of the 1990s.

Приграничные муниципалитеты Приморского края: состояние и перспективы развития

The article analyzed certain indicators of the socio-economic situation of border municipalities of the Primorsky Krai, the most characteristic problems and factors of their socio-economic development in modern conditions are determined. Based on the analysis of the spatial development of the Primorsky Krai, the resettlement scheme was revealed and the main levels (belts) of resettlement are indicated, the place of border municipalities in this scheme is determined; criteria for assessing the socio-economic conditions for the development of border municipalities are proposed, taking into account their classification: municipalities with a relatively stable structure of the economy; municipalities with high indicators of economic activity, but with low volumes of investment in fixed assets, average values of indicators of the standard of living of the population and business activity; the most problematic border municipalities. A polycentric model for the development of cross-border cooperation has been proposed, the centers of which can become border municipalities of three groups allocated above; the prospects for the development of border municipalities in the conditions of municipal reform were considered and the possibility of introducing a single-level model of local self-government in the Primorsky Krai was evaluated; the priority directions of socio-economic development of border municipalities of the region in the long term have been identified

Ecological and economic fundamentals of agricultural sector development in the context of cross-border cooperation

The article analyzes and substantiates the current state of Ukraine’s agricultural sector and cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries of the European Union. The main tasks and impact of cross-border cooperation are identified. A conceptual model for the development of cross-border cooperation in the agricultural sector has been formed, which will provide a sequence of assessments of the development of border areas on both sides of the border. The basic indicators for assessing the effectiveness of crossborder cooperation in environmental, economic and social development of Euroregions are determined, as well as their indicators are analyzed on the example of such border regions of Ukraine as Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Chernivtsi regions. The current state of Euroregions of Ukraine is characterized and recommendations are given to increase competitiveness, intensify economic activity of Euroregions, which are based on the periphery, forecasting the natural resource base of farms. It is proved that for effective development of ecological and economic bases of agrarian sector it is expedient to introduce economic tools on realization of export potential of agrarian sector of economy which will be combined among themselves on such aspects as institutional-regulatory, organizationaleconomic, production-technological and informationcommunication and will increase the functionality of preventive mechanisms to protect national and regional interests in border areas on both sides of the border and will form the preconditions for strengthening environmental, economic and foreign economic activity of cross-border and border regions.

Model of marketing management of competition taking into account the industry specifics of the banking services market

In the banking sector, competition management is based on the principles of marketing and management using marketing methodology. With the development of cross-border cooperation of the banking services market, the study of competition in cross-border markets of this type is key and promising. In the case of competent cross-border interaction, banks maintain their competitiveness, and cooperation between bordering states increases the intensity of interstate relations in the banking services market. The purpose of this article is to form a model of marketing management of competition in cross-border conditions, taking into account the industry specifics of the banking services market. The main approach to competition management is the marketing approach, which implies a macroeconomic isolation from the global economic system, accelerates the pace of expansion of transnational capital and allows you to form a successful experience in the development of competition and prevention of monopolistic activities. In the course of the study, the author concluded that the hypothesis of the study is fully proven. The main stages of assessing the risk of violations of competition conditions in the cross-border banking market are highlighted. The proposed model of marketing management of competition in cross-border conditions, taking into account the industry specifics of the banking services market, contributes to the development of the foundations of the modern marketing concept. The methodology developed by the author for assessing the risk of violations of competition conditions in the cross-border market of banking services in the management of competition is of scientific value and novelty.

Бар'єри в системі транскордонного співробітництва Україна-ЄС: аналіз та рекомендації

The development of cross-border cooperation (CBC) becomes extremely important due to modern geopolitical processes. Ukraine's entering the European integration space and its recognition by European partners requires coordination of efforts to develop cooperation with the EU member states and Ukraine's neighbors, above all. In order to use the potential of Euroregions within the CBC, it is necessary to reveal the essence of cooperation between the border regions of Ukraine and EU member states while creating and developing common Euroregions. It has become necessary to identify various hindrances to the CBC activation. In general, cross-border cooperation has a rich tradition in the old EU member states and is rapidly gaining importance for the new border regions, as well. This process brings new challenges and specific preconditions in each case, thus causing the development of specific solutions to the arising problems. Cross-border cooperation is an important instrument to develop border areas, and to form growth centers there due to the benefits of territorial division and cooperation; it is also an important component of the European integration process. This fact is emphasized in the Association Agreement between Ukraine, of the one part, and the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the other part. At the same time, due to a number of institutional, economic, organizational and financial reasons, the role and efficiency of Euroregional cooperation in the Ukrainian border regions is much less significant than those in the EU member states. The intensification of cross-border and Euroregional cooperation is a way of identifying and overcoming various development constraining factors, and thus will help to expand opportunities for the development of Ukraine’s border regions.

FORMS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the features of the main modern forms of cross-border cooperation in the European Union, in particular, organizational forms of cross-border cooperation, historical background, and stages of cross-border cooperation, to analyse the functioning of Euro-regions at the present stage, including financial instruments, and especially the implementation of these processes in a pandemic COVID-19. Methodology of research. The study uses generally accepted methods in economics: a monographic, theoretical, and comparative analysis – to reveal the conceptual foundations of cross-border cooperation; analysis and synthesis, system-structural, abstract and logical, statistical groupings – to determine and analyse the forms of cross-border cooperation in the European Union. Findings. The main theoretical approaches to defining the essence of cross-border cooperation, its place, and its role in the process of economic development of the regions and participating countries are analysed. The main forms of implementation of cross-border cooperation are systematized, the results of cross-border cooperation are considered on the example of the functioning of separate Euro-regions and realization of cross-border projects. It is determined that in the conditions of globalization and strengthening of integration processes between the states the need to expand and deepen international relations between local self-government bodies grows. An analysis of the peculiarities of the development of cross-border cooperation in the face of the global pandemic COVID-19 was conducted. Originality. For the first time, it was established that the peculiarities of the implementation of forms of cross-border cooperation taking into account the new conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which will allow the development of an adaptive mechanism of organizational and economic support of this process. Practical value. The results of the conducted study can be used in the educational process, in particular, in the training of specialists in project management, management and administration, as well as in the implementation of practical activities of public authorities and local governments of urban settlements, cities, and regions that are cross-border regions. Key words: cross-border cooperation, forms of cross-border cooperation, Euro-region, cross-border project.

Cross-border cooperation at the external border of the European Union in the context of political, economic and social conditions: the case of the Polish-Russian neighbourhood

Research background: Integration and globalization processes encourage activities for the development of border regions. For the north-eastern regions of Poland and the Kaliningrad region, cross-border neighbourhood enables regions to cooperate and provides an opportunity for economic and social recovery.
 Purpose of the article: The present article aims to analyse areas of cross-border activity taking place on the Polish-Russian borderland, based on the opinions of the inhabitants of the Kaliningrad region. Taking into account the rapidly changing political and economic conditions, as well as social relations, the following areas of Polish-Russian cross-border cooperation have been examined: economic activity, tourism, social activity, scientific cooperation, neighbourly relations.
 Methods: The study presents the results of the author?s own research carried out using standardized interviews with 1,022 inhabitants of the Kaliningrad region. As the research instrument, a self-designed interview questionnaire. The adopted time frame encompassed four stages of the functioning of Polish-Russian cross-border cooperation, each of them different due to political, eco-nomic and social conditions. The sample was selected using the quota method. The correspondence analysis was used for statistical tools.
 Findings & Value added: The suspension of local border traffic has significantly limited the development of cross-border cooperation. The Polish-Russian relations, encumbered with high risk and uncertainty, have led to a considerable decrease in cooperation between border areas. The level of risk results not only from mutual relations between Poland and Russia, but is also a consequence of political and economic relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation. In the long term perspective, local border traffic may be open and similar conditions for the functioning of cross-border cooperation may occur. Therefore, knowledge about the activity of cross-border residents of Polish-Russian border regions will be useful in counteracting the undesirable effects that may occur.

Трансграничное сотрудничество в стратегии «оживления» Северо-Востока Китая

Управление региональным развитием традиционно выступает одним из основных компонентов общегосударственной политики Китая. В число наиболее важных и сложных объектов этой политики входит северо-восточный Китай, включающий провинции Ляонин, Цзилинь и Хэйлунцзян, а также восточные части автономных районов Внутренней Монголии входит. Данный регион сформировался в 1950е – 1960-е годы в качестве первого индустриально развитого района и крупнейшей промышленной базы страны. Однако за годы реформ его позиции заметно ухудшились, а сам он превратился в проблемную периферию. Системная политика возрождения Северо-Востока, реализуемая китайским правительством с 2003 года, среди множества мер придает значение расширению его внешней открытости и развитию трансграничного сотрудничества с соседями. Данная работа рассматривает опыт и результаты сотрудничества провинций китайского Северо-Востока с регионами Дальнего Востока России. Результаты анализа показывают, что, несмотря на не вполне удовлетворительные итоги этого сотрудничества, трансграничные взаимодействия сохраняют для Китая значимость в качестве инструмента стимулирования развития периферийных территорий. Признавая отдельные недостатки, проблемы и ограничения конкретных кейсов трансграничной кооперации для «оживления» своей северо-восточной периферии, Китай, тем не менее, не намерен ограничивать использование или отказываться от этого инструмента. Более того, принятая ныне на вооружение Инициатива Пояса и Пути (BRI) свидетельствует о явном укреплении в Китае представлений о стратегической ценности приграничных районов, равно как и восприятия перспектив трансграничных взаимодействий.

Transborder Cooperation in the Carpathian and Barents Regions: Optimization of Management through Comparative Sociological Analysis

The article is devoted to analysis of the peculiarities of transborder cooperation in the Carpathian and Barents regions and optimization of its management through comparative sociological analysis. The institutional capacity of managing transborder cooperation, in the Barents region of northern Europe, its focus on increasing human capital and reorienting to cluster development can serve as an example for the development of cross-border cooperation in the Carpathian region. This is evidenced by the multifaceted activities of the Barents Euro-Arctic and Barents Regional Councils for the development of cooperation between the border regions and territorial communities, coordination of priorities and implementation of Barents Co-operation programs at the international, intergovernmental and interregional levels, synchronization of their activities in the Arctic region with EU institutions, cooperation leading international structures in Northern Europe, the Arctic and the Baltic. Such institutional experience in the Barents region indicates the feasibility and high potential impact of establishing a new multilateral international instrument for supporting cross-border cooperation in the Carpathian region. This experience should not be copied, but should be implemented taking into account the specifics of the Carpathian region. The author`s position on the methodological foundations of the sociological study of crossborder interactions as a differentiating and solidarizing factor is formulated. Perspective directions of research of cross-border interactions are seen first of all in: creation of international research collectives; elaboration and improvement of sociological tools for monitoring the state and dynamics of cross-border interactions; constructing a system of indicators that characterize the factors of micro, meso, macro and global levels that determine the content of cross-border interactions. The Ukrainian-Slovak, Ukrainian-Hungarian and Ukrainian-Romanian borders as a special space of social differentiation and integration remain extremely unexplored.

The influence of interethnic relations on cross-border cooperation

The research is based on the features of the influence of interethnic relations on the development of cross-border cooperation. It is noted that, provided effective ethno-national policies are implemented, multi-ethnic border regions have the advantage that national communities facilitate cross-border cooperation, and they often act as intermediaries in inter-regional relations. It has been proven that interethnic relations have a significant impact on the development of cross-border cooperation, in particular the importance of local authorities and national governments, which have a significant role to play in the issues of inter-ethnic relations in the region. It is argued that in the development of cross-border cooperation, greater emphasis should be placed on programs and projects aimed at improving the coexistence and development of national minorities in the border regions where they are most often living compactly, in particular representatives of national minorities; as a factor of European integration. For the successful development of cross-border cooperation, it is important to understand the needs and interests of the ethnic communities of a particular region, and to take into account historical, cultural factors. It is noted that the integration model is effective in the development of cross-border cooperation, since it enables different ethnic groups and national minorities to maintain their national identity, as well as to participate in regional and inter-state cooperation. Each interethnic community in Europe has its own peculiarities, and therefore the general list of recommendations included in the European Charter does not list the granting of large permits to municipal regions. However, these documents formed the basis for cross-border cooperation in European regions, and the provisions contained therein strengthened activities in this field. An important fact is that most inter-ethnic cooperation activities are within the structures of the European Union. The most common term is "territorial cooperation" or "cross-border cooperation", which are understood as different types of cooperation programs. These programs support the promotion and implementation of joint projects of an international nature throughout the European Union and its neighbors. A specific form of cross-border cooperation is Euroregional. Its characteristic feature is the institutionalization of cross-border cooperation structures. These structures may be: interethnic associations, councils, secretariats, committees, working groups, etc. Euroregional cooperation is carried out within the Euroregion. The Euroregion can be seen as a formal structure of cooperation, adopted on the basis of agreements between interethnic local and regional authorities in order to deepen economic and social cooperation. It is emphasized that the European experience of using the opportunities of cooperation with national minorities in multiethnic regions is of great importance for Ukraine, in particular, the work of the Council of Europe, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), the Association of European Border Regions, which receive considerable attention, is useful. national minorities in the development of cross-border cooperation. European experience demonstrates that, with proper organization of state policy and historical experience, the involvement of ethnic groups in cross-border cooperation can have a positive impact. Interethnic cooperation promotes political stability and reduces tensions in border areas, and has a positive impact on economic cooperation, development of education, science and culture. It is proved that cross-border cooperation must take into account the nature of ethno-political relations in the border regions, promote the provision of conditions for the development of ethno-cultural characteristics of national minorities and develop mechanisms of interethnic interaction, cooperation of local authorities and public organizations of national minorities.