European commission
The regional co-operation of the European commission
The European Union’s programmes for regional co-operation complement national assistance programmes, tackle challenges with a regional dimension and promote interstate co-operation on issues of mutual interest.
Regional co-operation – taking on the big issues
The European Union’s programmes for regional co-operation complement national assistance programmes, tackle challenges with a regional dimension and promote interstate co-operation on issues of mutual interest.
The EU considers co-operation with its regional partners – and between the partners themselves – to be an important political objective. By helping beneficiary countries to focus on common challenges, a regional approach has the potential to enhance confidence among partner countries, thus promoting increased security, stability, and prosperity.
Some challenges – such as developing trans-national transport corridors, tackling sea pollution or fighting terrorism and organised crime – have an inherent cross-border character and can only be tackled through a co-operative effort at regional level.
Regional strategy papers and indicative programmes define funding issues and priorities covered by the European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI), according to the following distribution: