EU to invest €1 billion in regions along its external borders

The European Commission has adopted a series of cross-border cooperation programmes totalling €1 billion, supporting social and economic development in the regions on both sides of the EU’s external borders. “Cross-border cooperation plays a key role in avoiding the creation of new dividing lines. This new funding will further contribute to a more integrated and sustainable regional development in the neighbouring border regions and to a more harmonious territorial cooperation on EU’s external borders.” said Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. “I am very glad that the European Regional Development Fund can contribute to bringing the EU and its neighbours closer together. Cross border cooperation programmes are concrete examples of how the EU is working to help citizens address common challenges, hence creating a real sense of solidarity, while boosting the competitiveness of local economies.” said Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu. A press release is available here.