The territorial cooperation policy of the EU with the countries of South East Europe: An interim evaluation

  • Angelos Kotios University of Piraeus, Department of International and European Studies, Piraeus, Greece
  • Spyridon Roukanas University of Piraeus, Department of International and European Studies, Piraeus, Greece
  • George Galanos George Galanos, University of Piraeus, Department of International and European Studies, Piraeus, Greece
Keywords: European Union, South East Europe, Regional Integration, Cohesion Policy

Abstract

During the programming period 2007-2013 the Cohesion Policy of the EU was adopted and the policy of territorial cooperation with third countries was implemented. Within this framework, the EU co-finances (through the European Regional Development Fund, the pre-accession instrument and the instrument of European Neighbourhood Policy) a series of cross-border, interregional and transnational cooperation programmes in Southeast Europe. The South East European countries are eligible for all these programmes, but the only programme that includes all countries in the region is the South East Europe Programme 2007-2013. The aim of this study is to conduct an interim evaluation of these programmes and present suggestions for the new programming period for the Cohesion Policy 2014-2020. Section 2 describes the EU policy of territorial cooperation with non-EU countries. Section 3 reviews the framework of EU policies and programmes fostering regional integration and territorial cohesion in Southeast Europe. Section 4 presents the area, aim, objectives and priority axes of the programme, while Section 5 offers an assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of the programme. Section 6 also includes some critical observations and policy proposals.

References

Bechev, D. (2006) Carrots, sticks and norms: the EU and regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, Journal of Europe and the Balkans, Vol. 8, No 1 , pp. 27-43.

ECORYS (2012) Ongoing Evaluation of South East Europe Programme 2007-2013: Second Evaluation Report. Rotterdam:ECORYS.

ECORYS (2011) Evaluation of South East Europe Programme 2007-2013: First Evaluation Report. Rotterdam:ECORYS.

European Commission (2010) South East Europe (SEE): Transnational Co-operation Programme for a European area in transition on the way to integration, European Territorial Co-operation 2007-2013.

Foutakis, D. and Thoidou, E. (2009) Towards rereforming the EU cohesion policy. Key issues in the debate and some thoughts on peripheral regions, SPATIUM International Review, No. 21, pp. 11–18.

Kotios, A., Galanos, G., and Roukanas, S. (2010) The Role of the EU at Cross Border Economic Cooperation in South East Europe, Research Journal of International Studies, Issue 17, pp. 51-67.

Kotios, A. (2001a) European Policies for the Reconstruction and Development of the Balkans, in G. Petrakos and S. Totev (eds.), The Development of the Balkan Region. London: Ashgate, pp. 235-280.

Kotios, A. (2001b) The EU Balkan Development Policy, Intereconomics (Review of International Trade and Development) 36, pp. 196-207.

Lopandic, D. (2001) Regional Initiatives in South Eastern Europe: An Assessment, International Conference on Restructuring, Stability and Development in Southeastern Europe, Volos: South and East European Development Center, University of Thessaly.

Papadimitriou, D. (2001) The European Union’s Strategy in the Post-Communist Balkans, Journal of Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, Vol. 1, Issue 3, pp. 69-94.

Petrakos, G. (2001) Fragmentation or Integration in the Balkans? Strategies of Development for the 21st Century, in. Petrakos, G and Totev, S. (eds.), The Development of the Balkan Region. London: Ashgate, pp. 219-234.

Sklias, P. and Roukanas, S. (2007). Development in Post-Conflict Kosovo, South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics Vol. 5, No 2, pp. 267-287.

South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme (2014) Programme map (countries). http://www.southeast-europe.net/en/downloads_section/communication_tools/, accessed 4th Feb2014.

South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme. (2013) Approved Projects. http://www.southeast-europe.net/en/projects/approved_projects/, accessed 10th Feb 2013.

Thoidou, E. (2011) The territorial approach to EU cohesion policy: current issues and evidence from Greece, SPATIUM International Review, No. 25, pp. 7-13.

Vujošević, M (2007) The New Generation of European Sustainable Development Documents and Strategic Development Schemes of Serbia and Montenegro – The Problem of Correspon- dence, in Getimis, P. and Kafkalas, G. (eds.) Overcoming Fragmentation in Southeast Europe: Spatial Development Trends and Integration Potential, London, Ashgate, pp. 191-234.

Wittkowski, A. (2000) South-eastern Europe and the European Union – promoting stability through integration?, South-East Europe Review, Issue 1, pp. 79-96.

Published
2014-07-31
Section
Review Paper - Second Part