Interview with Joris Begevoord - President of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR)

As president of the Association that represents European border regions, AEBR, could you explain the strongest assets of these territories and what are their main concerns?

Border regions are at the forefront of European integration and were supposed to benefit from the Single Market and the freedom of movement. However, they face enormous challenges due to many asymmetries, differentials, and gaps that still need to be addressed. This has been demonstrated by b-solutions, an initiative that the AEBR implements on behalf of the European Commission to identify cross-border obstacles and propose possible solutions; and the correct implementation of the BRIDGEforEU instrument that should help remove obstacles that hamper cross-border cooperation. Besides, these territories are used to addressing a variety of challenges: global ones such as climate change and the current 'world disorder', European ones such as demographic change and energy dependence, and particular ones such as depopulation, lack of services and infrastructure. Cooperation across national boundaries brings clear benefits for citizens living there, their countries and the EU. Increased cooperation across different services deepens integration and would likely lead to greater effectiveness.

Two months ago, the European Commission adopted the EU strategy to support eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. What is your assessment?

We have been very worried not only since the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022, but since the invasion of Crimea in 2014. What was a complex border with a dynamic flow of tourists, trade, and cooperation has now become a closed border. The affected border regions triggered a reflection process involving the European institutions as early as in the summer of 2022, when a meeting in Lappeenranta (Finland) was held at the initiative of Regional Major Satu Sikanen of South Karelia. As a result, a wave of initiatives at all levels have analysed the situation and future perspectives, including the ESPON project CHANEBO, which has produced new territorial evidence on possible reorientation of development paths. In our opinion, the EU is addressing most relevant aspects, including alternatives for the development of these territories. We warmly welcome the EU communication on easter border regions and the financial decisions taken in the mid-term review of the current financial framework and the Cohesion Policy, particularly the detailed analysis and the comprehensive set of measures to support these territories in terms of security, investments, local strengths, connectivity and people.

How should a reformed Cohesion Policy boost cross-border cooperation between regions after 2027?

A reformed Cohesion Policy should facilitate a sustainable response of the regions to the multiple crises we currently face, even if available resources for cross-border cooperation are limited. However, we have detected greater awareness of the cross-border reality beyond Interreg, with cross-border issues now being considered more in mainstream policies. If this is effectively translated into the provision of public services across national boundaries, we will probably go in the right direction. There are still incredible issues, such as the lack of recognition of diplomas and skills within the EU, double taxation and uncertain social benefits for cross-border workers, gaps in the regulation of cross-border infrastructure works, the provision of certain services, and access to affordable energy. Cooperation is not enough. What we need is for cross-border territories to be considered as cases of integration, where all relevant stakeholders should coordinate efforts to provide citizens with all necessary services and make these territories attractive places to live and invest in.

What are your main concerns about the long-term EU budget 2028-2034?

Despite the overall change of priorities, we are quite satisfied with the amount of resources earmarked in the European Commission's MFF proposal for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg),. However, its architecture could be negatively affected if Interreg is integrated into national plans. For the time being, everything suggests that the next Interreg will be very similar to the current one in terms of funding, architecture, management and governance of the programmes.

We are following the discussions about changing patterns in EU structural funding, the focus on defence and its implications for border regions. Still, we believe that strengthening European defence is not only about deploying soldiers and weapons, but also about increasing territorial resilience. For border regions, this represents an opportunity to improve infrastructure and connectivity, and to create new economic chances. We welcome any efforts to be less dependent on external players, whether in defence, cutting-edge technologies, food security, or public health, as this could only mean more Europe and more cohesion. Therefore, we are optimists regarding our future because, if border regions are frontliners of European integration, we can benefit enormously from a strengthened EU and become more attractive regions in which to live and work.

[The interview was published in the 16th edition of the #CohesionAlliance newsletter]