EU level

he study pinpoints the strengths and weaknesses of trans-European cooperation, attempts to clarify the imprecise terminology often used in this field and proposes measures which would provide a new Europe-wide legal framework for cooperation between regional and local authorities.

The study is divided into four basic parts. The first part promotes a better understanding, the second gives an overview of general framework initiatives that support cooperation, the third evaluates the present status of trans-European cooperation and the fourth identifies the general factors which enhance or hinder cooperation.