Hungarian overview

I warmly welcome the readers of this volume on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the EU Regulation on European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). In my view, the EGTC instrument perfectly reflects the principles on which Robert Schuman, Alcide de Gasperi, and Jean Monnet initiated the creation of the European Community, as well as their visions for its future.

Currently, 77 EGTCs are operating within the EU, nearly one-third of which (24) include Hungarian members, and 21 are headquartered in Hungary. Although a high number alone is not a measure of high-quality performance, this fact highlights Hungary’s pioneering role in this field. For this reason, readers may find it appropriate that, on the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the EGTC Regulation, the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), with the financial support of the Ministry of Justice, is publishing this volume.