Euroregion
Encyclopedia
In Europe
an politics
, the term Euroregion usually refers to a transnational co-operation structure between two (or more) contiguous territories located in different European
countries
. Euroregions represent a specific type of cross-border region
.
al institution, nor do they have direct political
power. Their work is limited to the competencies of the local
and regional authorities
which constitute them. They are usually arranged to promote common interests across the border and cooperate for the common good of the border populations.
It is difficult to associate one legal framework to the term "Euroregion", as they operate across country borders and vary widely in their particular forms.
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, the term Euroregion usually refers to a transnational co-operation structure between two (or more) contiguous territories located in different European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
countries
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
. Euroregions represent a specific type of cross-border region
Cross-border region
A cross-border region is a territorial entity that is made of several local or regional authorities that are co-located yet belong to different nation states.- Cross-border regions in Europe :In Europe, there are a large number of cross-border regions...
.
Scope
Euroregions usually do not correspond to any legislative or governmentGovernment
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
al institution, nor do they have direct political
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
power. Their work is limited to the competencies of the local
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
and regional authorities
Authority
The word Authority is derived mainly from the Latin word auctoritas, meaning invention, advice, opinion, influence, or command. In English, the word 'authority' can be used to mean power given by the state or by academic knowledge of an area .-Authority in Philosophy:In...
which constitute them. They are usually arranged to promote common interests across the border and cooperate for the common good of the border populations.
Criteria
The Association of European Border Regions sets the following criteria for the identification of Euroregions (taken from the Local and Regional Democracy and Good Governance Website of the Council of Europe):- An association of local and regional authorities on either side of the national border, sometimes with a parliamentary assembly;
- A transfrontier association with a permanent secretariat and a technical and administrative team with own resources;
- Of private law nature, based on non-profit-making associations or foundations on either side of the border in accordance with the respective national law in force;
- Of public law nature, based on inter-state agreements, dealing among other things, with the participation of territorial authorities.
It is difficult to associate one legal framework to the term "Euroregion", as they operate across country borders and vary widely in their particular forms.
Naming conventions
The naming convention for Euroregions is as varied as the forms of the regions themselves. The most common local names for a Euroregion include euregio, euregion, euroregion, eurorégion, euroregión, euroregione, ευρωπεριοχή, europaregion, euroregiune, grande région, еврорегён (evroregion), regio, conseil, or council.See also
- List of euroregions
- EurodistrictEurodistrictA eurodistrict is a European administrative entity that contains urban agglomerations which lie across the border between two or more states. A eurodistrict offers a program for cooperation and integration of the towns or communes which it comprises: for example, improving transport links for...
- European Grouping for Territorial CooperationEuropean Grouping for Territorial CooperationThe European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation is a Community level cooperation instrument with legal personality created on July 5, 2006 under EU council Regulation 1082/2006.- Composition of an EGTC :...