The Bureau of the European Committee of the Regions has endorsed an interregional group on cross-border cooperation and EGTC. 23 CoR Members have joined the interregional group, coming from all the political groups and from 13 Member States.

"37% of citizens in the EU live in cross-border areas along some 38 internal borders", explained Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR), who launched the initiative. "Furthermore, the EU has dedicated EUR 6.6 billion to 60 programmes for the 2014-2020 period aimed at supporting European cross-border cooperation".

The group aims to amplify common challenges of border regions, bringing together members from border regions with the aim of sharing points of view and experience of EU programmes and of influencing EU legislation.

The interregional group intends to exchange views, experiences and good practices, and to contribute to the dialogue with the European Commission and with European and local associations about cross-border cooperation. The members also announced their will to influence EU legislation by analysing CoR opinions and making sure that cross-border solutions are included when relevant. The intergroup will also contribute to the discussion on the future of the cohesion policy, identify cross-border topics to be addressed at EU level, and suggest actions of the EGTC platform. In particular, the intergroup identifies the Association of European Border Regions as strategic partner.

In accordance with Rule 10 of the Rules of Procedure, Mr Branda informed President Marrku Markkula of the wish to set up an interregional group in a letter dated 12 June 2015. Raffaele Cattaneo, chair of COTER, supported this initiative and completed it with the mention to the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation.
COR-2015-03204-13-02-NB-TRA