Cross-border cooperation – a strategic dimension of European Neighborhood Policy at the Eastern frontier of the EU
Cross-border cooperation – a strategic dimension of European Neighborhood Policy at the Eastern frontier of the EU

Summary/Abstract: Each stage of the enlargement policy, with each wave of new countries that joined the European Community, has brought new neighbours that are not only neighbouring countries of the recently adhered states, but also become neighbouring countries of a community with common legislation and “rules of the game”. The strengthening of neighbourhood relationships is accomplished through cross-border cooperation within a more formal framework (euro-regions) or direct contacts between authorities and citizen groups in border areas. By means of this article we argue that cross-border cooperation becomes an important dimension via its role in the achievement of the ENP general objectives, which are established both by European documents of this policy and by Action Plans of the countries included in the ENP. External financial assistance through Neighbourhood Programmes for 2004-2006 as well as through the ENPI for 2007-2013 with cross-border and inter-regional Programmes are purported to draw the neighbouring communities close to European standards and cooperate for ensuring stability, security and prosperity on the entire European continent.

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