European perspective

This thesis sets out to analyse the applicability of the instrument ’European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)’ in the cases of transnational and interregional non-contiguous cooperation. This type of EGTCs are called ’Network-EGTCs’. As no scientific research about network-EGTCs has been made so far, this diploma thesis fills this research gap.

As a basis for the analysis, a literature review on the EGTC instrument in general and its historic background was conducted. In addition, the scientific literature has been searched for characteristics of non-contiguous cooperation and different stakeholders were interviewed for their estimations about network -EGTCs. The so far existing and planned network-EGTCs have been explored. Out of these network-EGTCs two case studies – the E.G.T.C. Amphictyony and the planned CETC-EGTC – have been examined in depth.

It was found out that network-EGTCs show advantages from ordinary non-contiguous cooperations. Additionally, it was discovered that network-EGTCs do not differ in their character as much as it had been expected from EGTCs established in cross-border form. This thesis delivers evidence that EGTCs are applicable in the transnational and interregional cooperation when certain preconditions are fulfilled.