EUR 21 million over the next three years for programmes of cross-border cooperation with Italy, Austria and Hungary

October, 2000

In 2000 the candidate-countries and the member-countries are moving into a new programme period of cross-border cooperation. Unlike the separate cooperation that has taken place so far, in the future the focus will be more on an integrated regional policy based on partnership principles. In practice this means even stronger institutional and investment support for incorporation into the EU.

Over the next three years a total of EUR 21 million will be made available to Slovenia by the EU within the framework of the Phare programme for the implementation of cross-border cooperation programmes. Taking into account the new Phare guidelines, Slovenia has prepared a joint programme document for the next six years.

Cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Austria

The joint programme document for the period 2000-2006 sets out the framework, the aims and the priorities for the border region between Slovenia and Austria. The programme includes five statistical regions: Gorenjska, Koroška, Savinjska, Podravje and Pomurje and the Austrian provinces of Carinthia and Styria. The joint programme sets out economic cooperation, the development of human resources and the labour force, education and cultural cooperation and permanent spatial development with natural resources. At the same time activities are underway in several areas; in the forefront is the development of the Jesenice enterprise zone that should strengthen the economy of upper Gorenjska. The ecological and social difficulties caused by the collapse and abandonment of the traditional steel industry in Jesenice need to be resolved. For the purposes of carrying out this project the EU will contribute EUR 2.5 million and Slovenia EUR 1.2 million.

The second cross-border cooperation project that should be implemented this year comprises support activities for regional development and economic cooperation. The essence of the project, called Emerging EU, is to strengthen regional and local development with the purpose of forming broad regional units. Also envisaged here is support for small businesses to boost their competitiveness, which is connected with the adaptation to rules and standards for entry into the EU. Within the framework of this project finance will be provided to turn part of the former Maribor prisons complex into a regional development centre intended for education and training, institutional ties and linking small business at the border between the two countries.

In the fund for small projects, for which the EU will make available EUR 1 million and Slovenia will contribute EUR 0.34 million, projects will begin to be formulated on the basis of this year's public tender. These are small-scale projects in the fields of culture, tourism and local and regional ties.

Programme of cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Hungary

The new method of cooperation is also substantially different in this region, and is based on long-term joint planning. The basis for this cooperation is also the joint programme document for the period 2000-2006. It covers the Pomurje statistical region, with emphasis on sustainable spatial development including a joint landscape park and rural development. The plans provide for long-term management and renewal of energy sources, investments in environmental protection and long-term development of the joint management of this area. The joint programme document also sets out the development of human resources, that is professional and educational cooperation, the creation of a common economic area, the development of regional communications networks and information systems, and various micro credit schemes to support the local economy.

Cooperation between Slovenia and Italy

This is already the second multi-annual, cross-border programme that Slovenia has had with Italy. The first ran between 1994 and 1999 and involved the implementation of over 50 projects in the fields of transport and border infrastructure, the environment, tourism, agriculture, small business, culture and human resources. It includes Goriška and Primorje, and on the Italian side Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto. Over the next three years some EUR 7.5 million will be made available to Slovenia for this cooperation.

Cross-border cooperation between Slovenia and Croatia

Slovenia hopes that Croatia will conclude a stabilisation association agreement with the EU as soon as possible. This would open up the opportunity for Croatia to join the so far 13 countries that receive EU assistance as part of the Phare programme. The government has already confirmed a programme of cross-border cooperation with Croatia and a list of proposed projects in the amount of SIT 2.2 billion (EUR 11 million). Cross-border cooperation with Croatia is envisaged as long-term cooperation. Slovenia anticipates that next year Croatia will become a recipient of aid within the EU-funded Phare programme.

Programmes in the period from 1994 to 1999

Slovenia has been participating in the Phare programme for cross-border cooperation since 1994. Over a six-year period we received some EUR 35 million from the EU. Of this total, EUR 18 million was for cooperation with Italy, EUR 14 million for cooperation with Austria and EUR 3 million for cooperation with Hungary. During this period over 100 projects were prepared in the fields of transport and border infrastructure, the environment, tourism, agriculture, small business, culture and human resources. The construction of a number of purification plants and of municipal infrastructure is being concluded, and business facilities and a technology park have been built which enable border cooperation in the area of small business and help create new jobs.