Local and Regional Democracy and Good Governance

 

Existing Euroregions
 
  It seems that the term "Euroregion" does not always clearly show the differences in aims and objectives, if they exist at all, compared with other transfrontier structures which are given different names. Moreover, the legal frameworks within which the "Euroregions" operate exhibit such a wide variety of forms that it is difficult to clearly associate one particular legal framework with the term "Euroregion".

Three main types of Euroregion can be identified:

1. Euroregions without legal personality (working communities or communities of interest)

2. Euroregions which are based on private law

3. Euroregions which are based on public law

Many of the newly established Euroregions in the central and eastern European countries seem to be in fact working communities and communities of interest which are forums for informal transfrontier information and consultation. This conclusion should alleviate misunderstandings about the purpose of creating such transfrontier structures especially across borders where minorities exist.