The Pyrenees-Mediterranean Euroregion: functional networks, actor perceptions and expectations

Abstract

The Euroregions are likely the most prominent expression of cross-border cooperation (CBC) in the European Union (EU). The increase in the number of Euroregions is, however, a relatively recent phenomenon. At the end of the 1980s, the completion of the European Single Market, the strengthening of Cohesion Policy and, thereafter, the preparation for the accession of candidate countries from Central and Eastern Europe, provided the essential impetus to increasing cross-border cooperation (AEBR 2004). The creation of the INTERREG Community initiative in 1988, through which the European Commission provided financial support for cross-border initiatives, is generally considered the turning point. There are currently more than 130 cross-border regions in Europe under different names: Euroregions, Euregios, macro-regions or working communities (Morata 2007). Prior to the launch of the INTERREG programme, these numbered only 26 (European Parliament 2004). These figures are significant in terms of the impact of the EU on the evolution of CBC.