Eastern Journal of European Studies

Author: Tomas Ponce DENTINHO 

Borders and links are common to any system and the interaction occurring through them is essential to the existence of those systems (Chadwick, 1970). Territorial systems like countries, regions, towns and communities depend strongly on the structuring and channelling performances of their links borders. As argued by (Anderson et al., 2003) there are cisergic - both negative and positive - consequences of borders and links. In the location of activities, in the allocation of public facilities and related fiscal issues, in the flows of goods, services, people and capital and in the creation and enrichment of trust; all of them fundamental for economic development, especially in the case of borders associated with the peripheral territories.

Pages: 5-7 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Sofia GOUVEIA, Leonida CORREIA, Patricia MARTINS

Abstract: This paper contributes to the literature that explores the effects of European integration, providing new evidence about its impact on population distribution in the EU28 regions (NUTS 3 level) during the period 2000-2018. The main objectives are to explore the effects of the recent three EU enlargements on the growth in population share within the border regions and to compare the behaviour between core and peripheral regions. We use an empirical difference-in-difference approach. The findings show that border regions experienced positive effects on growth in population share since EU integration, but it did not completely reverse their relative population decline. At the same time, the process of European integration seems to have aggravated the demographic decline of EU peripheral regions compared to the EU core regions. Moreover, for the regions that are both border and peripheral, the EU integration effect has been stronger than in border only regions.

Keywords: border, core-periphery, demographic change, regions, European integration 

Pages: 8-27 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Alina FELDER

Abstract: Even though the European Union's policy for regional development addresses higher education institutions, there is little research on the relationship between EU regional and higher education (HE) policies. To account for the role of EU regional policy instruments such as the European Territorial Cooperation programmes, i.e. Interreg, in fostering EU HE policy, this paper adopts a theoretical framework that unites assumptions of top-down and bottom-up Europeanisation. Two cooperation initiatives, located in the Greater Region and around Lake Constance, reveal the impact of Europeanisation on cross-border cooperation (CBC) among HE institutions. The data of 34 semi-structured interviews conducted with various stakeholders at the locations of the two initiatives and in Brussels demonstrates that Interreg alters actor constellations and interests in cross-border contexts. When conceived as an opportunity structure, Interreg may foster the CBC efforts of HE institutions. Given that Interreg also displays a constraint, HE institutions attempt to contribute to both EU regional and HE policy development.

Keywords: Europeanisation, cross-border cooperation, regional policy, higher education, Interreg   

Pages: 28-46 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Joanna KUROWSKA-PYSZ

Abstract: Cross-border projects are aimed at reinforcing relations between partners and achieving mutual objectives important for cooperating organisations and for the development of the borderland in which they are implemented. The quality and sustainability of these projects' results depends, among others, on the manner of skilful management thereof. Many processes in the projects are based on knowledge. Mutual planning and implementation of a cross-border project includes joint resolution of the problem underlying the project and, at the same time, providing a joint learning opportunity for partners. Therefore, knowledge can be treated as an important factor influencing the cross-border project management process. The paper is aimed at assessing the impact of the process of joint learning in cross-border projects on the effectiveness of managing them. The research problem was solved due to the quantitative and qualitative research in the Polish-Czech-Slovak borderlands (2018-2019). Research conclusions proved that sharing knowledge and experiences has a significant impact on the effectiveness of cross-border project management.

Keywords: inter-organisational cooperation, cross-border cooperation, cross-border project management, knowledge, joint learning

Pages: 47-76 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Corina TURSIE, Thomas PERRIN

Abstract: The paper delivers a comparative overview of the research on capturing the impacts of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) programme by connecting the literature on urban regeneration with the literature on sustainable development. We observe a shift from assessing mainly the economic impacts towards the challenging task of capturing the social and cultural impacts in the context of the increasing preoccupation for assuring a long-term legacy of the programme. The paper also provides a comparative examination of the research methodology (impacts and indicators) for the self-evaluation proposed by three future ECoCs placed in cross-border regions: Timisoara 2021, Novi Sad 2021 and Esch-sur-Alzette 2022. Comparing data, we observed that different ECoCs have similar discursive understandings of the social and cultural impacts of the title. Still, they use different fine-tunes indicators for measuring these impacts or the cross-border cooperation, which is a neglected aspect of the ECoC evaluation.

Keywords: European Capital of Culture, impact, assessment, social, cultural, cross-border   

Pages: 77-98 | Full text (PDF)

Author: Valeria Stefania CARAS

Abstract: This work is devoted to studying the quality of governance in the Eastern Partnership countries - a project of the European Union, which includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. We aim to understand how external and domestic conditions influence the quality of governance in this area by applying the QCA method and regression analysis. We reveal a significant influence of the EU even though many authors doubt the EU's ability to influence countries beyond its borders that are not offered the membership. We also show that, in this case, the influence of Russia as another external actor does not contradict the influence of the EU on governance but can overlap in other sectors, an aspect which should be investigated in further research. The level of GDP, the democratic regime, the polarization of elites, ethnic fractionation and reserves of resources are significant domestic conditions for the quality of governance.

Keywords: Eastern Partnership, European Neighborhood, European Union, quality of governance, linkage and leverage     

Pages: 99-119 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Edina Lilla MESZAROS, Constantin Vasile ȚOCA

Abstract: The EU's Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy is based on five pillars, one of which prioritizes state and societal resilience to the East and South. However, the promotion of state and societal resilience in its vicinity is not portrayed as a totally altruistic policy, being motivated also by rational considerations, as fragility beyond borders threatens the EU's vital interests, while a resilient state is a secure state, and security is crucial for prosperity and democracy. Accordingly, the current article has set as its main objectives the deciphering of what the European Community understands by state and societal resilience in its neighbourhood, and what mix of instruments is using for achieving it. We have chosen as our case study to examine the efficiency of the EUAM mission in resilience building in Ukraine. Within these lines we advance a multifaceted approach to resilience, as in our opinion, stability and prosperity in the Eastern vicinity cannot be achieved only through Deep and Comprehensive Trade Agreements, cross-border cooperation projects, various ENP instruments, but also through more active diplomacy, preventive measures and engagement in crises and conflict management under the auspices of the Common Security and Defence Policy.

Keywords: resilience, security sector reform, Ukraine, Eastern Neighbourhood, EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine    

Pages: 120-145 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Halyna LYTVYN, Andriy TYUSHKA

Abstract: The EU's neighbourhood policy and the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in particular envisage bilateral and multilateral platforms for promoting cooperation between the EU and non-EU countries, and their regions. The Union's decade-old Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy framework, too, aims at increasing cross-border connectivity and capacity-building for good governance, including in Ukraine - one of the six EaP states. Within the EU-Ukrainian borderland, one of the key - but hardly unproblematic - roles in driving cross-border interactions as well as regional dialogue and development has been performed for the past three decades by the Carpathian Euroregion, whose agency is more attributable to distinct national representations than associated with the Euroregion as a whole. Empirically disentangling the institutional design and performance of the Carpathian Euroregion, with an emphasis on the Ukrainian part, this article seeks to contextualize and conceptualize the very phenomenon and varied practice of Euroregions forged along and beyond the EU-Ukraine borderlands. Drawing on the literature on cross-border governance, the article also integrates insights from the governmentality and governability studies (within the herewith originally theorized 'governance-governmentality-governability' nexus) in order to provide a more synergetic and encompassing analytical perspective on the past, present and the future of EU-Ukraine cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, Carpathian region-building - and the renewed role of the Carpathian Euroregion therein.  

Keywords: Carpathian Euroregion; cross-border cooperation; EU-Ukraine association; 'governance-governmentality-governability' nexus; Carpathian macro-region

Pages: 146-183 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Emrah SOYLEMEZ, Cigdem VAROL

Abstract: State borders have been transforming from physical lines into integrated regions constructed with cross-border cooperation. The increase of flows between both sides of the border causes a change in socio-economic relations and makes the border region an area of social practice, involving multidimensional relations of local, regional, national and supranational actors. These relationships necessitate the emergence of new governance practices specific to these regions and multidimensional, complex institutional structures framed by common settings of the countries on either side of the border. This study aims to propose a governance framework by considering the dynamics of border regions in different socio-economic and institutional structures and practices. Within this context, a governance framework for the EU and Turkish border region is discussed in two dimensions: distinctive socio-spatial and structural characteristics of the border region and governance approach including the actors, processes and practices. It is concluded that different structural characteristics and level of relationships effect the governance practices and policies among countries although they are part of the same supranational structure (EU).

Keywords: border regions, cross border relations, governance, the EU, Turkey    

Pages: 184-207 | Full text (PDF)

Authors: Urtak HAMITI

Abstract: Cross-border cooperation (CBC), as part of the European Union regional development policy aiming to increase territorial cohesion, is implemented based on operational programmes and projects prepared jointly in participatory and strategic manner. In particular, IPA Assistance is provided on the basis of the European Partnerships of the potential candidates and the Accession Partnerships of the candidate countries, which means South East European countries (Western Balkans) and Turkey. This paper analyses CBC Kosovo projects implemented so far, its effects in re-establishing social and economic links between inhabitants of the border regions involving Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia. Key questions addressed in this paper are: is CBC helping Kosovo's economic growth, sustainable development, and regional cooperation? To what extent can CBC be seen as a good opportunity for capacity building in countries aspiring to join the EU? What could be changed or improved in future CBC projects in Kosovo?  

Keywords: European integration, cross border cooperation, regional development, Kosovo, territorial cohesion      

Pages: 208-232 | Full text (PDF)

Author: Anatolie CĂRBUNE

Pages: 233-237 | Full text (PDF)