International Cooperation of European Subnational Regions

This paper first provides a short introduction of regionalism, i.e. international cooperation, and the concept of regional policies is presented. Then we introduce the concept of transnational cooperation, which is a process quite distinctive, yet parallel to processes of international regionalism cooperation tending toward supranational integration. Origins of transnational cooperation, i.e. states' regional cooperation across international borders, are discussed. The phenomenon of the process of regionalism and regionalization within Europe is dealt with. This trend is only seemingly opposed to the trend of international regionalism as manifested by integration processes between states. The nature of the state, though, does change since functions are delegated to the supranational and the subnational level. Both of these processes (regionalism and regionalization), as well as transnational cooperation of states, furthers the awareness of subnational regions as political units responsible for their own social and economic development. Transfrontier cooperation has triggered the idea of international subnational regional cooperation. The study provides examples of both phenomenon. Integration processes and the importance of the decision-making process on the supranational level for the well-being of the subnational level tends to cause the subnational regions to join in their own international political organizations to exercise pressure on the international level. Supranational bodies, for their own reasons, have accepted regions as specific partners. This paper provides examples of these international political organizations.