GOVERNANCE THROUGH COOPERATION A NEW VISION OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION (EXAMPLE OF EUROCITY CHAVES-VERIN)

Abstract

Within the European regions, the cross-border cooperation between Northern Portugal and Galicia is different, the established cultural position is strategic and particular. The mutual understanding between the two regions refers to past cooperation (tribes in Romanization, smuggling routes), which makes the mental border “thinner” and cooperation emerges as the main driver of local and regional development. Given the European vision, cross-border cooperation is seen as a tool to reduce differences between regions, promote convergence and integration