The Role of Euroregions in Development of Cross-Border Cooperation in Russian Federation

The article is devoted to the issue of cross-border cooperation using the key instrument which is the Euroregion. The purpose of the article is to analyse the conditions for the development and management of Euroregions in areas that are partially or completely outside the European Union. For empirical research the authors chose the European part of the Russian Federation. Based on the author’s verification model, they identified potential Euroregions and then in the context of key determinants performed their verification in terms of real activity. They constructed organizational models of Euroregions and analysed which of them functioned efficiently and why. The achievement of research goals required conducting literary studies, desk research and analysis of secondary sources. The authors also used system analysis, interview methods and observation. The effect of empirical research was the identification of 11 potential Euroregions and 4 realistically operating Euroregions. These Euroregions acted as associations or partnerships. The form of the association turned out to be ineffective. The key determinant of cross-border development was support by EU funds and the direct involvement of the subjects of Russian Federation. The EU’s neighbourhood policy has created more favourable conditions for the development of Euroregions, primarily those participating in the system of managing cross-border cooperation programs. The study showed that the importance of Euroregions as stimulators of the development of cross-border cooperation on the borders of the Russian Federation has decreased.