160th CoR Plenary Session (17 - 18 April 2024)

Often isolated, and with generally poorer access to public services, the EU's border regions face a unique set of challenges. This has been recognised under Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which states that particular attention should be paid to cross border regions when developing action to strengthen the EU's economic, social and territorial cohesion. Yet while the EU has provided significant support for these regions over the years, particularly within the framework of European territorial cooperation, helping to strengthen connectivity and create new growth and jobs, numerous obstacles continue to hamper cross-border cooperation.

A 2018 proposal on a European cross-border mechanism addressed challenges specific to EU border regions, but progress stalled owing to disagreements within the Council. The European Parliament now seeks to revive the file with a legislative-initiative report. Parliament is scheduled to debate the revised proposed mechanism, based on a report by the Committee on Regional Development, during the September 2023 plenary session.

EU border regions encounter legal and administrative obstacles in their cooperation. Citizens and businesses face unequal access to public services and fewer economic opportunities. COVID has highlighted the urgent need to address the remaining cross-border obstacles and define a long-term vision for unleashing the potential of border regions to become the drivers of European cooperation. The study identifies three policy options: status quo, soft-law measures, and adopting a new instrument (ECBM 2.0). Policy option 3 has the highest potential impact, addressing both legal and administrative obstacles, bringing benefits of €123 billion per year, as well as positive social impacts.