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The Balkan Peninsula has for decades been a space where Europe has been tested: conflicts, divisions, unstable institutions, but also strong cultural affinities, deep historical ties, and shared ecosystems that transcend borders and eras. In this context, the need emerges for practical cooperation mechanisms capable of connecting states, regions, and societies beyond historical mistrust.<\/p>\n
The European Groups of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs), established by Regulation (EC) No 1082\/2006 and subsequently amended by Regulation (EU) No 1302\/2013, constitute today perhaps the most tangible instrument of \u201cEuropean proximity\u201d in the Balkans, South-Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean. The EGTCs have proposed the design and implementation of a comprehensive framework for applying Articles 20 and 21 of the Interreg Regulation (EU) 1059\/2021. This model aims to address in an optimal way the need for joint management of cross-border natural ecosystems and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
EGTCs are not merely a technical construct of EU law; they represent the first small \u201cislands of European integration\u201d in a region where cooperation was for many years politically fragile. They constitute an underutilised but highly effective tool that can function complementarily\u2014and often catalytically\u2014as an institutional intermediary between intergovernmental cooperation and EU policies, acting as a power broker of multilevel governance.<\/p>\n
South-Eastern Europe is a region where realities do not fit into linear frameworks. It is an area characterized by:shared rivers,<\/p>\n
EGTCs respond to this complexity through a distinctly European approach: they establish cooperation structures that are not dependent on the climate of bilateral relations, but rather on local will, institutional continuity, and European oversight.<\/p>\n
In this sense, they represent the most mature expression of European integration in the Balkans and South-Eastern Europe following INTERREG and the macro-regional strategies.<\/p>\n
In the Balkans, European integration is not imposed from above. It is built gradually through five parallel pathways emerging through EGTCs:<\/p>\n
This is a form of \u201csoft integration\u201d: not imposed, but convergent; not rhetorical, but practical.<\/p>\n
The ecosystems concerned in the Balkans and South-Eastern Europe include, inter alia, the Aoos\/Vjosa River (Greece\u2013Albania), Prespa Lakes, Lake Doirani, Axios\/Vardar River (Greece\u2013North Macedonia), Strymonas River, Lake Kerkini, Evros and Nestos rivers, as well as the Rhodope mountain range (Greece\u2013Bulgaria). They also include initiatives in Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management for Greece\u2013Cyprus and Greece\u2013Italy.<\/p>\n
There is a strong need for more effective cooperation and governance in Natura 2000 and Ramsar areas, as well as for cultural and architectural heritage initiatives, including UNESCO sites. Enhanced institutional capacity and skills are required to make better use of Interreg funding instruments.<\/p>\n
There is also a clear need to include non-profit organisations as potential EGTC members through an amendment of Regulation 1082\/2006.<\/p>\n
To further strengthen the catalytic role of territorial cooperation, complementary instruments have been introduced: EGTCs, the Border Focal Point, and the upcoming BRIDGEforEU Regulation. The objective is to reinforce territorial cooperation as a key driver of European integration.<\/p>\n
The European Commission (DG REGIO) and national authorities should positively consider the request of EGTCs to participate in Monitoring Committees of CBC programmes (Greece\u2013North Macedonia, Greece\u2013Bulgaria, Greece\u2013Albania, Greece\u2013Cyprus, Greece\u2013Italy), as well as in IPA and post-2027 Interreg programmes and in the Thematic Steering Groups of the five pillars of the revised EUSAIR.<\/p>\n
Greece and Cyprus participate in a growing number of EGTCs (Helicas, Amphictyony, Efxini Poli, Archimed, Dieta Med, Proximity, Urban Knowledge Network), focusing on:<\/p>\n
Key challenges include:<\/strong><\/p>\n The region demonstrates strong dynamics:<\/p>\n Challenges include:<\/strong><\/p>\n EGTCs can act as catalysts for EU enlargement in the Western Balkans, functioning as institutional \u201csandboxes\u201d for pilot application of the acquis communautaire.<\/p>\n Institutionalised participation of EGTCs in the Thematic Steering Groups of the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-Regional Strategy (EUSAIR) is essential.<\/p>\n As highlighted in the conclusions of the April 2025 Thessaloniki Conference of South-East European EGTCs, there is a strong need for a structured roadmap to improve cooperation.<\/p>\n Key issues include:<\/p>\n This requires:<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n Experience demonstrates that, with political commitment from local, regional, and national authorities and continued support from DG REGIO, EGTCs can play a decisive role in building networks, fostering cooperation, and promoting joint actions for <\/span>sustainable development across the Balkans and South-Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n Reference:<\/strong> 2021 Report \u201c<\/span><\/span>EU Border Regions: Living Labs of European integration<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span>\u201d (COM(2021)393)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
B. Balkans \/ South-Eastern Europe<\/h3>\n
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\n2.8.4 Proposed Priorities<\/h2>\n
Priority 1: Establishment of a Coordinated EGTC Mechanism for Greece\u2013Balkans\u2013Mediterranean<\/h3>\n
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Priority 2: Cross-Border Management of Natural Resources and Climate Adaptation<\/h3>\n
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Priority 3: EGTC Participation in Interreg Monitoring Committees<\/h3>\n
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Priority 4: Strengthening Administrative Capacity and Training<\/h3>\n
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Priority 5: Inclusion of NGOs and Non-Profit Organisations in EGTCs<\/h3>\n
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Priority 6: Joint Tourism, Environmental, and Cultural Routes<\/h3>\n
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Priority 7: Joint Data Production and Research Tools<\/h3>\n
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Priority 8: Strengthening the Role of EGTCs in EUSAIR and EU Enlargement Policies<\/h3>\n
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\nEuropean Commission (2021), EU Border Regions: Living Labs of European Integration<\/em> (COM(2021) 393)
\nEuropean Committee of the Regions \u2013 European Cross-Border Platform
\nhttps:\/\/cor.europa.eu\/en\/our-work\/cooperations-and-networks\/european-cross-border-platform\/european-grouping-territorial-cooperation<\/a><\/p>\n