European instruments of cross-border cooperation. Case study: the Romanian-Ukrainian border

Abstract

The implementation of common policies established by the constitutive agreements of the Euroregions, and operational development of cross-border cooperation have led to the increase of contacts between Romanian and Ukrainian institutions. The European territorial cooperation at the European Union’s outer borders has two major components: Cohesion Policy and European Neighborhood Policy. Europe’s diversity is considered a valuable characteristic which should be exploited and promoted. This diversity can be noticed in the social and cultural life of all the countries and regions from Europe. The concept of Euroregion, as well as the cooperation in the international system form imposed in the European area is based on the strength and collaboration of the civil society and the mutual economic and political interests. According to this concept, the future Europe can be understood not only as a Europe of states, but also as a Europe of Regions having economic, political and military interests at an international level.