The importance of fostering cross-border economic and social development

​As part of the 2025 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the European Alliance Group ​organised a ​workshop​ titled “The importance of fostering cross-border economic and social development”, moderated by Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, President of the Corsican Assembly and of the EA Group.

Opening the session, Ms Maupertuis underlined that cross-border cooperation lies at the heart of the European Union’s mission to promote cohesion, solidarity and shared prosperity. She recalled that for many communities, cooperation across borders is not only a question of economic integration but also one of social ties, cultural exchange and territorial resilience.

Moray Gilland, Head of Unit in DG REGIO at the European Commission, spoke about the importance and challenges of cross-border cooperation, giving practical examples such as joint waste collection between Belgium and the Netherlands in Baarle-Nassau, and the shared on-call doctors scheme in Northern Ireland. He noted that such cooperation “takes time to build and develop” and “requires investment, and not only financial.” He also briefly introduced the Commission’s new Interreg proposal, aimed at further strengthening territorial cooperation.

Aodhán Connolly, Director of the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels, focused on the specific context of Northern Ireland, especially after Brexit. He stressed that successful cross-border projects must be transparent, inclusive, and beneficial for both sides. “Cross-border cooperation in Northern Ireland is a success story, but a fragile one,” he said. “It works because people on both sides choose to make it work again and again.”

Monia Sanna, Head of the European Territorial Cooperation Department at the Collectivity of Corsica, highlighted the particular challenges of maritime cross-border cooperation, notably between Corsica and neighbouring Italian regions as well as other Mediterranean islands. She pointed to some practical barriers such as the lack of mutual recognition of diplomas, which continue to hamper cross-border employment and mobility.

The lively debate that followed included contributions from local politicians and civil servants from Eastern Poland, Liguria, rural communes along the French–Italian border and Kent (United Kingdom), who shared both the opportunities and obstacles they encounter when implementing cooperation projects in their regions.

Concluding the discussion, Ms Maupertuis stressed that cross-border cooperation is about much more than funding or infrastructure. It is about trust, relationships and creating shared opportunities that transcend national boundaries. “Local and regional authorities are uniquely placed to make this happen,” she said, “and their work is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient Europe.”