Advantages and Limits of Cross-Border Cooperation of Sub-National Territorial Collectivities within the Euroregions

Abstract

The Euroregions are a mechanism for external collaboration of local collectivities – territorial structures created to achieve a coherent space for economic, scientific, social and cultural development. The collaboration within the Euroregions consists in creating direct links between the regions and collectivities located on one side and the other of the state borders, by virtue of the competences of the local authorities, as defined in the national legislation. The collaboration model within the Euroregions is supported by the European Union as a preparatory exercise for the accession of the participating countries and as a mechanism for the implementation of community relations between the regions of the candidate states. After the proclamation of independence, the Republic of Moldova made considerable efforts to establish international relations, by joining the most important international political and economic bodies and organizations, as well as by signing bilateral agreements with different countries. Efforts to integrate into the international community were promoted both at the central and local levels by intensifying the cooperation of local collectivities with similar entities from neighbouring countries, Romania and Ukraine. Due to the economic advantages offered by cross-border cooperation, the participation of the Republic of Moldova within the Euroregions should be of interest. The local collectivities from Romania and Ukraine have much greater economic potential compared to the districts of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the interest in deepening the cross-border cooperation relations was permanently overshadowed by pronounced passivity both at the central and local levels.