Frontier cooperation, a functionalist construction space, or Euro-region vs. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation

Abstract

The philosophy of the cross-border cooperation it is based on the central idea according to which if one or more border regions consider that they can solve better a series of issues together, than if they would approach them individually. The cross-border cooperation it is based upon the principles of partnership, subsidiarity and upon that of the existence of a concept or common strategy of cross-border development. The principle of partnership implies the existence of two types of relations: the partnership on vertical between the national, regional and local levels on each side of the border and the partnership on horizontal established between the partners on the both sides of the border. The experience shows that the cross-border cooperation operates better and has more success in the areas where the initiative of constitution belonged to the local and regional actors. This down-to-up approach is in conformity with the principle of subsidiarity.