Current and future challenges regarding cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries
TA-9-2024-0015 · P9_TA(2024)0015 · PE751.733
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Parliament's resolution sets out its position on cross-border cooperation with neighbouring countries, covering Interreg NEXT programmes, the Eastern Neighbourhood, the Black Sea and Mediterranean basins, obstacles to cooperation and policy recommendations.¶¶¶ It welcomes the suspension of cooperation with Russia and Belarus and the re-routing of funds to Ukraine and Moldova, and calls for support for transport links, post-war reconstruction and displaced Ukrainians.¶¶¶ It asks for stronger financing of cross-border programmes, simplified procedures, a cohesive Black Sea strategy and a macro-regional strategy for the Mediterranean.¶¶¶ It recommends complementarity between projects, integrated infrastructure planning, involvement of local and regional authorities and civil society, and periodic evaluations.¶¶¶
Key points
- Welcomes the alignment of Interreg NEXT with Interreg programmes but calls for simpler evaluation and implementation procedures focused on quantifiable results.¶
- Stresses that local and regional authorities play a key role in cross-border cooperation through their knowledge of local situations and shared challenges.¶
- Emphasises the importance of cross-border projects, including people-to-people projects, for sustainable local development, innovation and territorial cohesion.¶
- Says the 2021-2027 allocation is far from optimal, calls for stronger financing, and welcomes greater accountability of third countries for recoveries from private-sector beneficiaries.¶
- Welcomes electronic data transmission by managing authorities but warns against greater bureaucratisation and calls for interoperable systems and a common database.¶
- Expresses concern that large infrastructure projects will no longer need Commission approval, while welcoming the removal of the EU funding limit for such projects.¶¶
- Highlights cross-border cooperation's role in pre-accession processes, sustainable management of natural resources, climate change adaptation and renewable energy.¶¶¶
- Welcomes the suspension of cooperation with Russia and Belarus and the re-routing of funds to Ukraine and Moldova, and calls for security policy cooperation.¶
- Calls for funds to develop sustainable transport infrastructure, including railway connections and storage facilities near the EU's borders with Ukraine and Moldova.¶
- Calls for support for sustainable infrastructure projects improving connectivity and mobility, and for appropriate support to host displaced Ukrainians.¶¶
- Deplores Russia's use of energy as political pressure and its disinformation, and calls for inquiries into energy cooperation and enhanced cooperation in education and culture.¶¶
- Calls for increased financial support to the Black Sea programme, a cohesive Black Sea strategy, and a macro-regional strategy for the Mediterranean.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- EU border regions and their local and regional authorities, which would benefit from simplified procedures and more funding.¶¶¶
- Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, which receive re-routed funds and support for transport infrastructure and reconstruction.¶¶¶
- Candidate countries, which use cross-border cooperation to familiarise themselves with EU programmes and legislation.¶¶
- Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, which are targeted for cooperation on security, energy, tourism and migration.¶¶¶
- Private-sector beneficiaries and investors in border regions and third countries, who face greater accountability for recoveries.¶
Figures and deadlines
Legal basis: Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 4, 162, 174 to 178 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.¶