The institutional and agreement basis of Slovak-Ukrainian cross-border cooperation: The Ukrainian perspective (2004-2021)
The institutional and agreement basis of Slovak-Ukrainian cross-border cooperation: The Ukrainian perspective (2004-2021)

Summary/Abstract: Background: Cross-border cooperation regulates organizational, legal, economic andother principles of interstate relations of border regions in particular. The agreements indicated inthe paper can envisage the establishment of cross-border cooperation bodies that perform thetasks assigned to them by territorial communities, their representative bodies, and local executivebodies, in accordance with the powers and in the manner prescribed by the legislations of thecountries. Objectives: The paper focuses on the examination of the existing institutionalmechanisms, which implies a consideration of the structure and role of institutions and agreementsthat regulate Slovak-Ukrainian cross-border cooperation and the assessment of the effectiveness ofthe institutional framework and their impact on the development of cooperation between theregions. Another objective is to study the challenges of identifying key problems and obstacles ofan institutional nature that can inhibit the development of cross-border cooperation, and toconsider possible ways of overcoming the institutional ones. Methods: The research was conductedwith the use of the method of analyzing the normative-legal basis of bilateral cross-border relationsat the national, regional, and local levels. It aims to study the institutional framework ofcooperation and involvement in joint programs at the national level, to examine the existingagreements of local and regional entities, their role and competence. There have been conductedinterviews with experts who are involved in the explored field. Results: The entire list of crossbordercooperation forms has been recorded: cross-border groupings and cross-border bodies,particularly a Euroregional cooperation grouping and a European grouping of territorialcooperation; Euroregions; agreements, joint initiatives, projects, events, programs, strategies;mutually beneficial contacts and other forms not prohibited by law (though not specifically definedby the legislator either). To the promising ones worth implementing, belong a cross-bordergrouping and a cross-border cooperation body, a Euroregional cooperation grouping and aEuropean grouping of territorial cooperation. Considerable attention in the paper is devoted to thestate strategies and programs related to cross-border cooperation in Ukraine, which weredeveloped during the specified period, and to bilateral local and regional agreements. Discussionand conclusions: The paper describes the challenges and prospects of cross-border cooperationproviding some recommendations on institutional changes for the improvement of cooperationthrough implementing joint cross-border projects, and at the same time for integrating Ukraineinto the EU.

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