Euroregion
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In European politics, a Euroregion is a form of transnational co-operation structure between two (or more) territories located in different European countries.
Euroregions usually do not correspond to any legislative or governmental institution, do not have political power and their work is limited to the competencies of the local and regional authorities which constitute them. They are usually arranged to promote common interests across the border and cooperate for the common good of the border populations.
Even though the Council of Europe sponsored term "euroregion" means a similar thing, it should not be confused with the European Union sponsored term regions in Europe.
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The Association of European Border Regions sets the following criteria for the identification of euroregions [1]:
- An association of local and regional authorities on either side of the national border, sometimes with a parliamentary assembly;
- A transfrontier association with a permanent secretariat and a technical and administrative team with own resources;
- Of private law nature, based on non-profit-making associations or foundations on either side of the border in accordance with the respective national law in force;
- Of public law nature, based on inter-state agreements, dealing among other things, with the participation of territorial authorities.
It is difficult to associate one legal framework to the term "euroregion", as they operate across country borders and vary widely in their particular forms.
The naming convention for euroregions is as varied as the forms of the regions themselves. The most common local names for a euroregion include: euregio, euregion, euroregion, europaregion, euroregiune, grand region, regio or council.