FROM CALARASI TO VIDIN: COMMON BORDERS, COMMON SOLUTIONS SPECIAL REPORT | 1 - 5 OCTOBER 2018 http://eurac.tv/9PM5 With the support of FROM CALARASI TO VIDIN: COMMON BORDERS, COMMON SOLUTIONS From Calarasi to Ruse, from Costanza to Veliko Tarnovo, EU Cohesion Policy has supported hundreds SPECIAL REPORT | 1 - 5 OCTOBER 2018 of actions and infrastructure investment in the fields http://eurac.tv/9PM5 of transport, science, education, youth employment, environment and support for small and medium-sized enterprises in Romania and Bulgaria. Cross-border cooperation (Interreg V-A) in specific, represents one of the main goals of the policy, aiming at tackling common issues and challenges identified from border regions, at enhancing the growth dynamics of those areas, while promoting the values of solidarity and shared mentality. Despite the occasional shadows and delays in the project planning, the difficulties in the implementation and the bureaucratic obstacles, the Romanian- Bulgarian cross-border cooperation has transformed the economy and the relations between the two countries, improving significantly the quality of life of their citizens. In this special report, EURACTIV focuses on some of the most important aspects of this shared socioeconomic ecosystem, capturing its core characteristics and added value. Contents Less money, a new legal framework- what future for the Interreg post-2020? 4 Business representative: ‘Cross-border cooperation is a broader European integration exercise’ 6 Deputy mayor: A second bridge at Ruse-Giurgiu is a priority 9 EU cross-border cooperation: working on both sides of the river 12 Better regional cooperation for higher EU absorption rate: the Bulgaria-Romania case 14 4 1 - 5 OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL REPORT | FROM CALARASI TO VIDIN: COMMON BORDERS, COMMON SOLUTIONS | EURACTIV Less money, a new legal framework- what future for the Interreg post-2020? By Beatriz Rios | EURACTIV.com Drone View of Oltenita City, Calarasi County, in the Romanian border with Bulgaria. [Shutterstock] hile Brexit and the new Since 2014, the European Regional or a European Cross-border Statement EU priorities threaten to Development Fund allows supporting which requires a further legislative Wreduce the funds allocated projects enhancing efficient public procedure in the Member State,” the for cross-border cooperation after administration “by promoting legal text says. 25 years, the Commission wants to and administrative cooperation The Commission proposal, improve Interreg with a new legal and cooperation between citizens currently under scrutiny at the framework for cooperation between and institutions” under Interreg European Parliament, aims to regions. programmes. But it has not been introduce a legal mechanism to enough. regulate cooperation in cross-border According to the European Legal problems and barriers areas. Commission, over 150 million people linked to different administrative live in cross-border areas in Europe. cultures are still an obstacle for cross- INTERREG POST-2020 IN Interreg was introduced in the border cooperation. The EU executive DANGER framework of the Cohesion Policy as a proposed in May that the rules of one funding tool to help local and regional member state may voluntarily be In the next months, the Parliament, authorities tackle common challenges applied in a neighbouring country. the Council and the Commission will with shared solutions in the fields of “The Mechanism consists in have to negotiate a new long-term EU health, research, education, transport concluding a European Cross-border and the environment. Commitment, which is self-executing, Continued on Page 5 1 - 5 OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL REPORT | FROM CALARASI TO VIDIN: COMMON BORDERS, COMMON SOLUTIONS | EURACTIV 5 Continued from Page 4 Bucharest will have to mediate both communities while supporting among member states to try to find the economic development of the area. budget, too. a compromise before the European In 2014, the Commission awarded As a result of the UK leaving the elections in May. further €258 million through the EU and due to the introduction of new Romania will then play the European Regional Development Fund priorities – security, migration, climate mediator role and might also have to invest in programs of cooperation change – the budget allocation for to deal with the negotiation of a new between Romania and Bulgaria, until Cohesion Policy is likely to be reduced legal framework for cross-border 2020. up to 10%. This, of course, also affects cooperation, while it has a lot of The aim, in this case, was to ensure Interreg. interest in Cohesion Policy properly a well connected, green, safe, inclusive “These programs are creating links functioning, as it benefits from it. and efficient region in the counties between regions and members states of Mehedinti, Dolj, Olt, Teleorman, of the European Union,” Dimitris ROMANIA AND BULGARIA, Giurgiu, Calarasi and Constanta in Papadimoulis said during a debate AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD Romania and the districts of Vidin, with Commissioner for Regional COOPERATION Vratsa, Montana, Pleven, Veliko Policy, Corina Cretu. Tarnovo, Ruse, Silistra and Dobrich in “The Commission’s decision to Despite the occasional shadows Bulgaria. reduce the Interreg budget is very and delays in the project planning, EU Interreg funds have served concerning, as it is a unique and the difficulties in the implementation to finance the conservation and indispensable source of funding for and the bureaucratic obstacles, the promotion of historical and cultural cooperation across borders,” said Romanian-Bulgarian cross-border sites, promoted hot air balloons in Vasco Cordeiro, president of the cooperation has transformed the the cross-border area, as a new tourist Conference of Peripheral Maritime economy and the relations between the product and created a network of Regions (CPMR). two countries, improving significantly electric bicycles which people can use “It is essential to have Interreg the quality of life of citizens. to cycle freely within 32 cities along programmes based on territorial needs Over the past programming the area. and with the strong involvement of period (2007-2013), Interreg boosted According to the European regions,” CPMR Secretary General cooperation between Romania and Commission, the programme’s Eleni Marianou stressed. Bulgaria with €262 million, which selection rate has already reached over Romania will hold the next rotating main objectives were to bring together 93%, which places it among the best presidency of the EU from January. people and strengthening the ties of performing programmes. 6 1 - 5 OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL REPORT | FROM CALARASI TO VIDIN: COMMON BORDERS, COMMON SOLUTIONS | EURACTIV INTERVIEW Business representative: ‘Cross-border cooperation is a broader European integration exercise’ By Manuela Preoteasa | EURACTIV Romania Two centres of economic cooperation were established eight years ago through the joint actions of the Chamber of Commerce in Constanta, Romania, and Dobrich, Bulgaria, in a project financed with European funds. What has this cooperation meant for the development of the region, the business environment and the community? The Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Naval Engineering and Agriculture (CCINA) of Constanța launched in 1998 the first Romania- Bulgaria cross-border cooperation project with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Dobrich. It was the first call for Cargo ship sails into open sea from Varna, (Bulgaria) to Constanta (Romania). [Shutterstock] applications aimed at increasing the Romanian-Bulgarian cooperation. A number of cross-border ince 2014, the Romania-Bulgaria business representative of companies projects for business communities Interreg programme has helped operating in the area. have been implemented since then. Sto boost the economy on both The ‘Chamber of Commerce of sides of the border by promoting Ion Dănuț Jugănaru is the director of Bulgaria and Romania for cross- cross-border trade and boosting the Chamber of Commerce of Constanța, border cooperation’ project, as well cooperation in tourism, agriculture Romania. He spoke to EURACTIV.ro’s and industry. EURACTIV spoke to a Manuela Preoteasa. Continued on Page 7 1 - 5 OCTOBER 2018 | SPECIAL REPORT | FROM CALARASI TO VIDIN: COMMON BORDERS, COMMON SOLUTIONS | EURACTIV 7 Continued from Page 6 in Sofia and Plovdiv, business-to- services, promotion actions. business fairs in both Dobrich and Furthermore, three cross-border as other projects, have kept the Constanța; professional training clusters were set up in Constanta business environment in the two for companies interested in cross- and Dobrich in sectors like tourism, regions informed and supported the border activities; marketing studies agriculture-food industry, innovation entrepreneurs to launch businesses on economic potential of the and creative industries; and the and cooperates, providing them districts of Constanța and Dobrich, project financed sectorial studies and with the necessary tools: business macroeconomic statistics about analysis and training for increasing events, entrepreneurial courses, Romania and Bulgaria, foreign trade the institutional capacity. specialized literature, databases etc., of Romania and Bulgaria, import- In the context of the Trans- practically an environment dedicated export guidelines Bulgaria Romania, Tour-Net, five pilot-projects were to Romanian-Bulgarian cooperation. European Union, United States of developed, and there were 50 tourist The situation changed