Open borders and cross-border cooperation in regional development

Abstract

Our paper focuses on the cross-border cooperation in regional development. Specifically, it examines the effect of open borders and international cooperation for the sustainable development of regions. We show that barriers hampering the free movement of capital and labour often lead to worsening the economic and social conditions of border regions and have negative effects on the regional development. Moreover, we provide evidence from recent history and examples of the European Union integration to stress the importance of opening borders and installing the well-functioning cross-border cooperation. In addition, we discuss the effects of the European single currency (as expressed in a classical model of the Open Currency Area) to demonstrate the effects of cross-border trade. Our results can be used by the economic experts and policy-makers who are preoccupied with removing trade barriers and economic sanctions and enhancing the economic prosperity.