Regional Cross-border Cooperation Research Articles

Strategy for Socio-economic Cross-border Cooperation in the Regional Context (the Example of the Omsk Region and the Republic of Kazakhstan)

Active development of socio-economic ties and logistic chains with friendly states is of strategic importance due to the current geopolitical situation. Omsk region is located at the crossroads of important railways and waterways. Therefore, it is very important to form a strategy of development of the main directions of deep regional cross-border cooperation. It will allow to steadily develop friendly ties, diversify the economy, use the available resources and innovative technological platforms.The article presents the main approaches to the concept of “cross-border cooperation”. The legislative base is studied, the role and content of interaction of territories on the example of the Omsk region and the Republic of Kazakhstan is revealed. Special attention is paid to the factors influencing successful and constraining cooperation between neighboring regions of the countries. The main directions for the development of socio-economic regional cross-border cooperation are revealed.Aim. The purpose of this article is to analyze the implemented strategy of socio-economic interregional cross-border cooperation, as well as to identify the main points of contact between the Omsk region and the Republic of Kazakhstan.Tasks. During the research, the following tasks were solved: the concept of regional cross-border cooperation was defined; normative-legal acts in this area were analyzed; the strategy of socio-economic regional cross-border cooperation on the example of the Omsk region and the Republic of Kazakhstan was evaluated; the main points of contact in this territory were revealed.Methods. The research is based on scientific publications of scientists in the field of interregional crossborder cooperation. The methods of research, analysis, systematization and generalization were used to assess the effectiveness of the strategy.Results. The results of the evaluation of the strategy of regional cross-border cooperation have shown that in recent years, bilateral socio-economic ties between the Omsk region and the Republic of Kazakhstan are actively developing, many successful investment projects in various areas of the economy are being implemented, forums are regularly held. However, the ongoing changes require constant revision of the strategy of interregional cooperation, as well as the identification of promising areas, taking into account the available resources.Conclusions. The current global situation opens new opportunities for the Omsk region to provide favorable conditions for the sale of goods and technologies, tourism development, etc. There is a high dynamics of long-term partnership, the formation of the legal framework that supports interregional ties between the region and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The article proposes a number of directions for building up the experience of regional mutually beneficial interregional cooperation.

MECHANISMS AND PRINCIPLES OF INTERACTION BETWEEN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ENTITIES IN CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION

The article defines “public administration” as a set of principles, methods, forms, and means of impact on the activity of a region and a country as a whole. The operation of the mechanisms of interaction between public administration entities in cross-border cooperation is recommended to be categorized by interaction entities in the public domain, which, in turn, are divided by the number of entities, their composition, role, and participation. The article provides the classification of the mechanisms of interaction between public administration entities in the framework of cross-border cooperation: by the coverage with a legal framework that secures interaction, by the coverage with interaction, by the types of cooperation between interaction entities in a border region where a regional authority is the main entity, by the types of cooperation between interaction entities in cross-border region or space where a regional authority is the main entity, by interaction scope, by the results of interaction, by interaction intensity, by the levels of formalization and public administration, by initiative, by cooperation effect in a border region, and by the duration of cooperation. The mechanisms of interaction between public administration entities in a cross-border region or space are suggested to be divided by the features of interaction, coverage (based on the boundaries of cross-border space), activity sectors, the impact of other entities and institutions operating beyond the public domain, etc. The instruments of cross-border cooperation most frequently used by public administration entities at border areas of Ukraine are outlined, including international agreements, border cooperation agreements, Local Border Movement Agreements, Neighborhood Programs, joint cross-border development strategies, regional development strategies with priorities set on cross-border cooperation, regional cross-border cooperation development programs, new cross-border cooperation forms (Euroregions, clusters, industrial zones and parks, etc.), direct contacts – meetings, events, forums, etc. The article specifies the principles of public administration, including structural principles, principles of process, and principles of the final result.

Empirical sociological reflections on transborder interactions in ukrainian and western sociology

The purpose of the article is to analyze the experience of Ukrainian and foreign empirical sociological studies of cross-border mobility and cooperation as the main forms of cross-border interactions and to outline the subject field and methodological principles of research. The periodization of the development of theoretical sociology was used to organize the discourse of theoretical sociology on cross-border interactions. Methodological principles of sociological research of cross-border interactions are formulated. The consideration of cross-border interactions at four levels is substantiated: micro, meso, macro and inter-level. The micro level of cross-border processes is related to the experience of crossing the state border by specific entities, or trade at the local level. The mezo level relates to cross-border phenomenas that extends to regions such as regional cross-border cooperation. The macro level corresponds to cross-border processes that cover the entire territory of the state (interstate relations, international relations of national actors, interstate trade). The inter-level of cross-border phenomenas is related to the crossing of the borders of several or even many states. The use of the Pareto principle in the study of the dynamics of cross-border interactions is substantiated. The main dimensions of cross-border interactions are identified on the basis of factor analysis of the survey of Ukrainian-Slovak border residents "Information support and implementation of innovative approaches in cross-border cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine". The toolkit of sociological research of cross-border interactions on the Ukrainian-Slovak border was constructed on the basis of expert interviews with researchers in the field of public administration, sociology, social work, representatives of public organizations and local communities of the Ukrainian-Slovak border.

THE PROBLEM OF MESOECONOMIC SYNTHESIS OF CLUSTERS DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL INTEGRATING FORMATION CONCEPTS

Topicality. Nowadays, global order is concentrating in the vicinity of great power poles. European Union with its growing economic significance becomes such a pole and faces a demand for development and implementation of a certain model of mutual relation between peripheral regions of different states, which could meet principles of the EU regional policy and facilitate newer forms of cooperation in “region-region” format. Increasing global instability problems at the beginning of XXI century demand for development newer forms of cross-border cooperation along with euroregions, such as “cross-border clusters”, “cross-border industrial zones”, “cross-border partnerships”, cross-border innovations projects”. The significance of regional cross-border cooperation increases under the conditions of European integration processes opening newer opportunities for economic activation at the peripheral territories of Ukraine increasing their economic competitiveness. The demand for newer theoretical approaches to problems of generation and development competitiveness within meso-economic sphere became ripe long ago and demands for studying global experience. Aim and Objectives. Aim of this work consists in reviewing a problem of meso-economic synthesis of cluster-type development concept and international integration formations as well, as checking scientific hypothesis supposing that the cluster approach represents the most efficient mechanism of development of international economic cooperation under prevailing conditions being, finally, a meso-level for competitive international integration systems and necessary condition of advanced integration of Ukraine into European economic space. Research Results. Industrial corporate networks are becoming essential objects of economic management in post-industrial economic system. They take a form of network clusters under the influence of globalization processes. Network clusters are catalysts and participants of technological transformation, since they incorporate entities carrying on scientific research activities and entities facilitation their results’ commercialization and implementation into manufacturing within an individual cluster. Cluster approach becomes the most efficient mechanism of development of international economic cooperation under modern prevailing conditions and is, finally, forming a meso-level of competitiveness of international integration systems and necessary condition of quality advance of integration within European economic space. Conclusion. Priority of essential deployment factors experiences substantial transformations in the modern post-industrial paradigm of euroregional development. This phenomenon changes functions of peripheral territories from physical basis, i.e. location of material manufacturing factors (resources) to spacious environment for development of human capitals, innovations and regional self-development. Thus, there is a proven necessity to generate, format and identify essential characteristics of international integration meso-levels, representing organizations or management structures of intrabranch and interbranch cooperation in the form of cross-border cluster systems, incorporating macro- and micro- integration levels of national economies.

Accessibility Dynamics and Regional Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) Perspectives in the Portuguese—Spanish Borderland

Accessibility plays a major role in achieving sustainable transport, and therefore urban and regional sustainability. The urban public transport system promotes mobility and realizes a large part of urban movements. Moreover, improving accessibility in order to promote sustainable transport requires the application of new concepts and indicators as a powerful tool in the process of creating a balanced urban transport system. In this regard, one of the main goals of this research is to present an overview of the relevant accessibility indicators and assessment of accessibility in regional Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) in order to transcendence challenges and obstacles for sustainable transportation in these regions along of Portuguese-Spanish border. This paper focuses on the accessibility of cross-border cooperation scenarios along the border regions of Alto Alentejo (Portugal) and Badajoz (Spain) where the Case Study Research Method (CSR) made it possible to recognize accessibility as a key factor in territorial success. Also, accessibility analysis can assess improvements as well as regional imbalances. In addition, this methodology can be used to identify missing links, which requires new investments enabling long-term sustainability.

Advanced development zones of the Primorsky territory as a basis for regional integration in the APR

The study of advanced development zones as part of the territorial structuring system of Primorye and as the basis for the development of integration ties with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region is of particular interest to the scientific community, because this makes it possible to trace the formation of recreational and tourist clusters within the borders of the advanced development zone. Creating an economic supporting structure by integrating transport and transit infrastructure and cooperative ties into an integrated system at the regional level will allow identifying the activities of the tourist industry within a certain territory and the direction of their regional integration in the Asia-Pacific region. The purpose of the work is to comprehensively analyze the elements of the tourism oriented territorial structure in the development of the foundations of regional cross-border cooperation. The authors applied structural-functional and cluster approaches, which allow them to comprehensively consider the components of the territorial structuring of the tourism industry as a single system for the development of the Primorye recreational complex. The methodological base of the research was grounded on the analysis of recreational and tourist advanced development zones in Primorye. As a result of this study, the recreational and tourist sectors of the region were analyzed, potential prerequisites for the development of cooperative tourism ties at the regional level and their integration into the Asia-Pacific region were identified; The estimated location of the projected tourist clusters in Primorye is indicated, a map has been drawn up on this basis and the basic framework of the tourist industry of the region has been determined, and its strategic assessment of tourist attraction has been given. Ultimately, the integrated application of special theoretical approaches in the study of the territorial structuring of the Primorsky Territory in the field of tourism allows features and patterns to identify, as well as prerequisites for the formation and development of the tourism industry within the borders of advanced development zone, and to determine regional integration links of cross-border cooperation in recreational and tourist activities.

The So-Called 2015 Migration Crisis and Euroscepticism in Border Regions: Facing Re-Bordering Trends in the Danish–German Borderlands

ABSTRACT This paper examines the role of Euroscepticism on regional cross-border cooperation between Germany and Denmark. It demonstrates that Euroscepticism, while absent from local mainstream politicians, had already caused civic unrest in the 1997 attempts to construct a return to history Euro-region Schleswig. It resulted in a re-scaling of the Euro-Region to Region and Schleswig to “Sønderjylland/Schleswig”, omitting any reference to Europe, European identity or a commitment to a closer European union in the relevant agreements. Border controls, on the agenda in 2011 and again since 2015, have demonstrated the institutional weakness of cross-border politics when faced with determined initiatives from the national center. Furthermore, the Eurosceptic Danish People’s Party had its best results in the border precincts both at the latest European and Danish national elections. Euroscepticism, even though difficult to measure on a regional level, seems to have been an ever present underneath current despite a political rhetoric of successful cooperation and cross-border reconciliation. The Danish-German case’s development might be more distinct, but nonetheless representative for European border (and cross-border) regions. While European metropolises develop into thriving cosmopolitan post-nation state societies, this is not necessary the case at Europe’s borders, where categorization and bordering remain common social practices by the large majority of national borderlanders with only a small portion of transnational borderlanders or ‘regionauts’ getting involved in border crossing social practices on a larger scale.

The evolution of regional cross-border water regimes, the case of Deltarhine

In this study, we look at the evolution of a cooperative water regime in the delta of the Rhine catchment. In a Dutch–German case study, we focus on cross-border cooperation on the local and regional scale, describing and analyzing how a remarkably resilient and robust transboundary water regime has evolved over the course of 50 years. Context-, interest- and knowledge-based explanations contribute important insights into the evolution of the Deltarhine regime, and it is shown that the legal, institutional and socio-economic context shapes and constrains regional cross-border cooperation. Surprisingly in this regard, we find that European water directives have not yet played a decisive, catalyzing role for policy harmonization across borders. Finally, we show that key individuals play a crucial role in regime formation and development. We suggest that the presence of entrepreneurs and leaders adds explanatory power to current conceptual frameworks in international river basin management, thus meriting further research.

Minorities as secondary foreign policy agents in peace-building and reconciliation? The case of Denmark and Germany

ABSTRACTThe border between Germany and Denmark is a result of the Versailles Peace Treaty implemented after the First World War. Drawn after a plebiscite in 1920, it was challenged until at least the 1950s by key actors within the respective national minorities on either side of the border and their nationalist supporters. Since the millennium, though, a narrative of reconciliation and cooperation has taken over, where national minorities’ institutions have taken in a central role of political bridge-building and de-bordering. The article will analyse the role of the German and Danish national minorities as secondary foreign policy agents in Danish–German relations in general and regional cross-border cooperation in particular. I argue that there is still a gap between rhetorics of involvement and factual governance, and that secondary foreign policy impact is heavily dependent on institutional capacity.

Secondary foreign policy: Can local and regional cross-border cooperation function as a tool for peace-building and reconciliation?

ABSTRACTStudies on international relations increasingly focus on actors at the sub-state level. The terms para-diplomacy or proto-diplomacy are used to describe international activities of state institutions below the national level and outside the foreign services. In this special issue, we have collected seven case studies from Europe, North America and Asia, where the authors analyse recent developments of de- and re-bordering focusing on the role of non-central state actors with regard to cooperation, reconciliation and peace-building. The cases demonstrate the wide range of multi-level governance and personal interaction of cross-border regions, but also the persistence of the central state as a norm-setting actor of international relations. We suggest labelling these activities of local international relations secondary foreign policy, widening and précising the terms of para-diplomacy or proto-diplomacy used within Political Sciences to describe regional, non-central state activities in international relations.

European Union Cross-Border Cooperation and Conflict Amelioration

The relevance of European Union (EU) cross-border cooperation for European border conflict amelioration may be questioned in the contemporary global climate of threat and insecurity posed by forces of 'dark globalisation'. In any case, empirical evidence exposes the limitations of cross-border cooperation in advancing conflict amelioration in some border regions. Nevertheless, in an enlarged EU which encompasses Central and East European member states and reaches out to neighbouring states through cross-border cooperation initiatives, the number of real and potential border conflicts with which it is concerned has risen exponentially. Fortunately, there are cases of EU 'borderscapes' that have adopted a cross-border 'peace-building from below' approach leading to border conflict amelioration. Unfortunately, countervailing pressures on EU cross-border cooperation from border security regimes (principally Schengen), the Eurozone crisis, EU budgetary constraints, the conceptualisation of 'Europe as Empire', and the possible reconfiguration of the EU itself compromises this approach. Therefore, the path of European integration may well shift from one of inter-state peace-building and regional cross-border cooperation after the Second World War, to border conflict and coercion in constituting and reconstituting state borders after the reconfiguration of the EU.

Border Surfers and Euroregions: Unplanned Cross-Border Behaviour and Planned Territorial Structures of Cross-Border Governance

The rise of cross-border relations is frequently linked to the decline of the nation state and the emergence of new forms of European governance. This article challenges some of the assumptions behind the policies stimulating regional cooperation along the national borders within the EU. It questions the assumption that regional cross-border governance is necessary for cross-border relations to develop. The article argues that the institutionalization of different territorial nation states with different social regulations not always hinders, but frequently stimulates cross-border relations. However, the territoriality of the EU planning practice of stimulating regional cross-border cooperation frequently hinders cross-border governance. The territorial administrative logic of cross-border cooperation and its governance drift away from the border, where cross-border behaviour is concentrated. The emergence of cross-border governance is further complicated while cross-border behaviour depends on national and international regulations outside the control of the midsized Euroregions. People living close to the border can sometimes profit from these differences. The fluid and fragmented groups of these border surfers are difficult to incorporate in the governance of territorial Euroregions. This article shows that unintended consequences of the EU planning practice of stimulating cross-border cooperation sometimes hinder the emergence of cross-border governance.

Half Empty or Half Full? Over 30 Years of Regional Cross-Border Cooperation Within the EU: Experiences at the Dutch–German and Danish–German Border

This article examines four cross-border regions across the Dutch–German and Danish–German border, which now have experience of over 30 years' more or less institutionalized cross-border cooperation: the Euregio Rhein–Ems–IJssel (often referred to as EUREGIO), the Ems–Dollart Region, Region Sønderjylland-Schleswig, and Fehmarn Belt Region. The focus is on evaluating barriers against and incentives for cross-border activities in connection with cross-border regional governance. While cross-border cooperation in the form of euroregions today is a common sight on virtually all European borders, research still has limited knowledge on mechanisms involved with cross-border region-building as well as on opportunities for successful cross-border cooperation. The article reveals that the four regions examined, though very different in socio-economic characteristics, cooperation history, and extent, face comparable issues and problems in cross-border cooperation. It shows that the “difference of attractiveness” of each side of the border is a decisive impetus to engage in cross-border activities, providing that “information” on the conditions for cooperation as a decisive variable is available or can be made available through third-party funding such as the Interreg Community Initiative. A lack of “difference of attractiveness” requires third-party funding for sustainable cross-border activities. The euroregions' and their institutions' role is predominantly the role of a cross-border information center, network organizer, and support organization, while their actual governance of self-sustainable cross-border activities remains low.

Experiences in Regional Cross Border Co-operation in River Management. Comparing Three Cases at the Dutch–German Border

Cross border co-operation is increasingly viewed as an obvious and logical consequence of an integrated perspective on river management. Consequently, we would expect an increase of cross border co-operation and collaboration in EU member states, through joint planning, co-management or co-implementation in flooding policies, water quality management or river rehabilitation. If we take a closer look at regional practices along member states' borders however, co-operation is often considered as problematic. To explain this discrepancy it is important to look at the conditions of 'successful' co-operation in actual cross border initiatives. We provide a framework to analyse regional initiatives, focusing on the extent of co-operation and differences and similarities in policy arrangements. We apply this framework to three cases at the Dutch-German border and conclude that the nature of the problem structure and related interdependencies and 'urgency' (still) are important. Moreover, we stress the importance of policy styles and especially the problematic transition from policy formulation to policy implementation in water management.