The role of cross-border cooperation initiatives in respect of regional development: case study of Euroregion Neisse

Abstract

The paper seeks to examine the importance of cross-border cooperation on regional development. It focuses on the euroregion Neisse since it fits some important assumptions that need to be matched to overcome limitations that are connected to examination of any cooperation initiatives. Its objective is to find whether regions of euroregion, Neisse, experience different development patterns in economic performance compared against the neighbouring regions in their country. We employed a two-step analysis of volumes, where the correlation analysis is extended by testing for Granger causality. To check the non-stationary issue, the analysis runs the ADF unit root test. The analysis found that the initiatives of the cross-border cooperation appear to be an important instrument of the European Union cohesion policy in the case of the euroregion, Neisse, but at the same time, are very ambiguous as well. In our case, even some significant relations have been identified in both correlation and causality sense; no provable promotion of economic performance has been measured. In summary, we may suggest that some linkages within the euroregion, Neisse, do exist, but we may ask whether their existence is unfavourable or whether their potential is or is not used in the best way possible.