Facilitating cross-border cooperation for regional development

Cross-border cooperation between neighbouring countries is intended to develop cross-border economic and social centres by promoting joint strategies for sustainable territorial development.

Promoting urban, rural and coastal development. Encouraging business spirit and the development of small and medium-sized firms, including tourism and the local employment initiatives. Promoting the integration of the labour market and social inclusion. Allocating human resources and facilities for research and technological development, education, culture, communications, health and civil protection to increase productivity and help create sustainable jobs. Encouragement for the protection of the environment, increased energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy. Improving transport, information and communications networks and services and water and energy systems. Developing cooperation in the legal and administrative spheres to promote economic development and social cohesion. Increasing human and institutional potential for cross-border cooperation to promote economic development and social cohesion.

The European Commission has adopted guidelines for the INTERREG Community Initiative. Assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the new Initiative will total EURO 4 875 million for the period 2000-2006. The new INTERREG Initiative for 2000-2006 provides further support for that goal while adding interregional and trans-national cooperation. The importance of these goals is now even greater since the European Union is about to grow, which will increase the number of internal borders and move its external frontiers further east. The INTERREG Initiative was introduced in 1990 to develop cross-border cooperation and help areas on the internal and external frontiers of the Union to overcome the problems arising from their isolation.