Swot Analysis and Planning for Cross-Border Co-Operation in Central European Countries
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Swot Analysis and Planning for Cross-Border Co-operation in Central European Countries Prepared by Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia (ISIG) for the Council of Europe SERIES 1. Swot Analysis and Planning for Cross-border Co-operation in Central European Countries 2. Swot Analysis and Planning for Cross-border Co-operation in Northern Europe 3. Swot Analysis and Planning for Cross-border Co-operation in South Eastern Europe LEGAL DISCLAIMER : Although every care has been taken to ensure that the data collected are accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for the consequences of factual errors and inaccuracies. The views expressed in this document are those of its author and not those of the Council of Europe or any of its organs. REPRODUCTION OF MATERIAL © Council of Europe Reproduction of material from this publication is authorised for private use and for informational and educational uses relating to the Council of Europe‘s work. This authorisation is subject to the condition that the source be indicated and no charge be made for the reproduction. Persons wishing to make some use other than those specified above, including commercial use, of the information in this publication are asked to apply for prior written authorisation to the Council of Europe, Directorate of Democratic Institutions. Foreword This study has been prepared by ISIG - Istituto di Sociologia Internazionale di Gorizia (Institute of International Sociology of Gorizia), Italy at the request of the Council of Europe. Its purpose is to provide a scientific assessment of the state of crossborder co-operation between European states in the geographical area of Central Europe. It applies the so-called SWOT methodology according to the specific parameters developed by ISIG to assess the extent and depth of crossborder co- operation thus giving both a quantitative and qualitative appraisal. This is followed by the identification of the most appropriate —strategy“ recommended in order to achieve the best possible crossborder co-operation (removing obstacles, skipping threats, exploiting opportunities, healing weaknesses). The interest of the Council of Europe for transfrontier co-operation dates back to the 1980‘s with the adoption of the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Authorities or Communities (Madrid Convention). In the subsequent years, the Council of Europe, through its intergovernmental committees œ the European Committee on Local and Regional Democracy (CDLR) and the Committee of Experts on Transfrontier Co-operation (LR-TC) œ and various assistance and capacity building activities has actively promoted the adoption of the most suitable measures and policies to encourage and facilitate crossborder co-operation between local and regional authorities. In the framework of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, a SWOT analysis of crossborder co-operation between Balkan-Danube states was published in 2005 with the financial support of Belgium. (An updated version covering South-Eastern European states is being prepared and will be published shortly in this series.) Subsequently, it was felt appropriate that a similar study of crossborder co-operation between Central European states be prepared and further on another study of crossborder co-operation between Northern European states was launched, also at the request of the Council of Europe. This report is based on data collated in 2007-2008 and analysed in 2009. Prior to its publication, it has been circulated among the members of the CDLR for comments. The remarks made have been taken into consideration. Detailed remarks by Hungary are reproduced in extenso at the end of the document. However, the report has not been approved or validated by any Council of Europe intergovernmental body. Its contents and opinions therefore are those of its authors and not those of the Council of Europe. In releasing this report, the Council of Europe wishes to put at the disposal of its member states an additional tool for assessing the state of crossborder co-operation between themselves and thus taking the appropriate policy measures in order to achieve the goal of a —ever closer union“ between them that the Statute of the Council of Europe, to which they have subscribed, advocates (article 1). Swot Analysis and Planning for Cross-Border Co-operation in Central European Countries Contents Page Part I 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................1 2. Cross-border co-operation: theoretical elements and internal/external functional aspects.1 2.1. Internal dimensions and indicators .......................................................................................2 2.2. External dimensions and indicators ......................................................................................5 2.3. Measurement of indicators....................................................................................................6 2.4. SWOT analysis methodological process ..............................................................................7 2.5. Action strategies....................................................................................................................7 2.6. Euroregions.........................................................................................................................10 3. Measurement of the conceptual dimensions of co-operation in the nineteen cross-border areas of Central Europe ..................................................................................................................11 4. SWOT variables for the nineteen cross-border areas of Central and Eastern Europe ......31 4.1. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Austria and Czech Republic ....32 4.2. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Austria and Hungary................35 4.3. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Austria and Italy.......................38 4.4. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Austria and Slovakia................41 4.5. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Austria and Slovenia................44 4.6. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Belarus and Poland ..................46 4.7. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Belarus and Ukraine.................49 4.8. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Croatia and Slovenia................51 4.9. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Czech Republic and Poland .....54 4.9. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Czech Republic and Poland .....54 4.10. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Czech Republic and Slovakia ..56 4.11. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Hungary and Slovakia..............59 4.12. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Hungary and Slovenia..............61 4.13. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Hungary and Ukraine...............63 4.14. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Italy and Slovenia ....................65 4.15. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Moldova and Ukraine ..............68 4.16. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Poland and Slovakia.................70 4.17. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Poland and Ukraine..................73 4.18. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Slovakia and Ukraine...............75 4.19. Prospects for —good“ cross-border co-operation between Romania and Ukraine ..............77 5. An overview of strategies and institutional policies leading to effective cross-border co- operation ...........................................................................................................................................80 References.........................................................................................................................................84 Part II: Cross-Border Co-Operation In Individual Border Areas 1. Austria-Czech Republic...............................................................................................................85 Geographical and historical background........................................................................................85 Economic and infrastructural characteristics .................................................................................86 Cross-border declarations and agreements ....................................................................................88 Propensity towards cross-border co-operation...............................................................................88 Implemented projects.....................................................................................................................89 Elements of Swot analysis .............................................................................................................90 2. Austria-Hungary ..........................................................................................................................92 Geographical and historical background........................................................................................92 Economic and infrastructural characteristics .................................................................................93 Cross-border declarations and agreements ....................................................................................95