Cohesion processes in internal and external spaces of the European Union: The new priorities

Abstract

Cohesion as an especially important factor of modernization processes, as well as of processes of European integration and enlargement of the European Union are analyzed in this theoretical article. The needs of cohesion and possibilities to activate the cohesion in the context of European integration in general, as well as the impact of cohesion on the further enlargement of the European Union are discussed. This article raises and considers the problem of social, economic and political development, cultural changes, the new tendencies of technological progress and environmental protection, closely associated with the cohesion processes, taking place under the conditions of European integration and the European Union development and enlargement. It is shown that the cohesion processes determine the basic changes in contemporary society and its life in the common cultural, social and economic space in the European Union. The main attentions is paid to the specifics of cohesion in the internal and in the external spaces of the European Union, the role and significance of the processes of innovative development in the context of general priorities of cohesion are characterized. It is shown that there are some needs to define the priorities of cohesion processes separately for internal spaces of the European Union, as well as for external spaces. The priorities of innovative development and technological progress are defined as the main priorities of cohesion in internal spaces of the European Union. The priorities of goal-oriented cooperation with the developing countries of new type with post-crisis economy are defined as the main priorities of cohesion in external spaces of the European Union. The variety of the cohesion processes is described, new trends of cohesion in the context of globalization and internationalization, knowledge based society and knowledge economy creation processes are identified.