Cross border cooperation (CBC)
Cross border cooperation (CBC)
Cross border cooperation (CBC) is inseparable component of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), which gives an opportunity both to European Member States and Partner Countries to initiate regional co-operation. Cross border cooperation programs implemented within ENPI involve Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus and countries which are located in eastern and southern part of the Mediterranean Sea Basin. EU CBC policy main objectives are to provide sustainable development toward EU external boarders, decrease life polity in internal and external territories, also to resist EU enlargement following challenges and to use new opportunities.
Armenia is involved in one (Black Sea Basin Program) of the 3 programs (Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea ) which are included in CBC strategy.
In Black Sea Basin CBC besides Armenia are involved R. Moldova, Georgia and Azerbaijan all regions, also Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine maritime territories.
On 27th of November, 2008 European Commission adopted Black Sea Basin Countries CBC joint action plan. Program. Participant countries should jointly finance projects within 10% of social budget. ENPI social budget for the whole run of the program (2007-2013) will be 17.305.994 euro.
The Black Sea JOP covers three priorities and a technical assistance component. Each of the three priorities is further broken down in a number of Measures, as presented in the following table:
Priority 1: Supporting cross border partnerships for economic and social development based on common resources
Measure 1.1: Strengthening accessibility and connectivity for new intra- regional information, communication, transport and trade links
Measure 1.2: Creation of tourism networks in order to promote joint tourism development initiatives and traditional products
Measure 1.3: Creation of administrative capacity for the design and implementation of local development policies
Priority 2: Sharing resources and competencies for environmental protection and conservation
Measure 2.1: Strengthening the joint knowledge and information base needed to address common challenges in the environmental protection of river and maritime systems
Measure 2.2: Promoting research, innovation and awareness in the field of conservation and environmental protection for protected natural areas
Measure 2.3: Promotion of cooperation initiatives aimed at innovation in technologies and management of solid waste and wastewater management systems
Priority 3: Supporting cultural and educational networks for the establishment of a common cultural environment in the Basin
Measure 3.1: Promoting cultural networking and educational exchange in the Black Sea Basin communities.
For the implementation of the joint scheduled measures involved in the action plan can request local and territorial administrations, development organizations, in local development field involved non governmental organizations, civil organizations involved in trade promotion sphere, research institutions and universities, nature protecting organizations, non governmental organizations involved in social and cultural sphere, cultural and educational organizations and etc.
