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Documents : Other Useful Documents
 As a result of the enlargements of the European Union in 2004 and 2007 new dimensions of territorial co-operation have appeared along its eastern borders, generating new difficulties but also offering great potentials. The eastern external borderline of the European Union stretches from the Barents Sea to the Mediterranean, and along this 5.500 kilometer border embraces 12 member states of the EU (Cyprus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) and 63 of their regions.
These regions share similar, if not identical development challenges, which basically differ from the position of other EU regions and their solutions requires specific measures and above all new approaches. The fact that they lay on the external borders in the eastern part of Europe puts them in the challenging position of being “bridges” of Europe with its neighborhoods. Cross – border co-operation has been singled out as one of the areas of territorial co-operation and joint efforts on both sides of the border are needed urgently.
NEEBOR aims to increase the awareness of EU institutions, member states, regions and local authorities and the civil organizations on both parts of the borders of the existing weaknesses and strengths of the cross-border region. NEEBOR will become a platform of open dialogue and coordination of joint actions and initiatives in order to promote the exchange of best practices, enhance cooperation and synergies in the region.
Members:
• Association of Estonian Cities and Association of Municipalities of Estonia
• Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania
• Council of Oulu Region (Finland)
• County Council of Békés County (Hungary)
• County Council of Hajdú-Bihar County (Hungary)
• County Council of Somogy County (Hungary)
• Hungarian Public Nonprofit Company for Regional Development and Town Planning
• Initiatives France-Hongrie
• Košice Region (Slovakia)
• Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments
• Marshal Office of Lubelskie Voivodeship (Poland)
• Marshal Office of Podlaskie Voivodeship (Poland)
• Marshal Office of Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship (Poland)
• Municipality of Burgas (Bulgaria)
• Municipality of Varna (Bulgaria)
• Municipality of Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
• National Union of County Councils of Romania
• North Great Plain Regional Development Agency (Hungary)
• Prešov Region (Slovakia)
• Region of East Macedonia – Thrace (Greece)
• Regional Council of Etelä-Savo (Finland)
• Regional Council of Kainuu (Finland)
• Regional Council of Kymenlaakso (Finland)
• Regional Council of Lapland (Finland)
• Regional Council of North Karelia (Finland)
• Regional Council of Pohjois-Savo (Finland)
• Regional Council of South Karelia (Finland)
• South Great Plain Region (Hungary)
• South-Transdanubian Regional Development Agency (Hungary)
• Union of Cyprus Municipalities
• West-Pannonian Regional Development Agency
Mission:
NEEBOR’s mission is to operate an enhanced co-operation network, to improve visibility of eastern external borders, to promote understanding and management of these regions of the European Union with a view to shaping an area of co-operation and preventing the emergence of new dividing lines. The setting up of NEEBOR is in the spirit of good neighbourly relations and its main objective is to effectively contribute to the realization of a sound regional policy based on solidarity.
Objectives:
1. Promote the visibility of eastern external border regions
2. Dissemination of best practices
3. Activation of organisations on both sides of the border
4. Facilitating the utilisation of financing instruments
5. Networking
Activities:
NEEBOR activities will cover three main dimensions:
1. Co-operation among the regional representation offices in Brussels:
• this level of co-operation will be in charge of the preparations for basic decisions and events
• responsible for the day-to-day operation of NEEBOR, runs a secretariat
• keeps in touch with competent EU-institutions and other Brussels located institutions
• manages information and data base
This level will feature among others:
• Brussels network meetings
• Thematic seminars
• Annual Conference / Seminar
2. Co-operation with the individual national regions:
• the regional representations will keep in touch with individual regions of their own country, ensuring the flow of information and active participation in NEEBOR activities
• NEEBOR Secretariat will supply members with information about the network
3. Multi-purpose co-operation among eastern regions on both sides of the border:
• the purpose is to generate vertical (inter-regional)co-operation and to step up horizontal (cross-border) co-operation among border regions
• will be encouraged to start joint projects
• will assess prevailing conditions and provide essential information for NEEBOR on developments and shortcomings
• will propose subjects to be dealt with by NEEBOR
For more information on NEEBOR in different languages, please visit the following websites:
• www.finrusoffice.net
• www.wm.24.pl
• www.vucpo.sk
or contact:
NEEBOR
Square de Meeûs 1, 1000 Bruxelles
Tel: +32 2 213 81 10
Fax: +32 2 213 81 11
e-mail: neebor@ucm.org.cy
You can also download the quarterly newsletter and other documents on the network here:
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