Source: European Parliament
EU macro-regional strategies were not set up with a specific focus on fostering economic convergence between Member States that joined the EU before and after 2004.
Rather, the strategies address shared regional challenges within a single macro-region, such as environmental issues, transport and energy security, that cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries alone.
The 4 macro-regional strategies have been operating for over a decade and have added value in guiding cross-border cooperation, enhancing policy alignment between countries, mobilising funding, and engaging stakeholders. These are complemented by 4 sea-basin strategies, with a maritime and blue economy dimension.
Although the impact of these strategies on macroeconomic parameters is difficult to quantify, they contribute to policy development, indirectly promoting the socioeconomic development of the EU and its regions. Macro-regional cooperation has been instrumental in improving the navigability of the Danube River and in cutting red tape for inland navigation operators.
The objectives of macro-regional and sea-basin strategies are complementary to those of the Three Seas Initiative, which is a country-led initiative that aims to promote economic growth, energy security, and infrastructure development in the wider region.
Together, these initiatives can facilitate regional dialogue and close infrastructure gaps through coordinated transnational actions, for example by advancing key corridors in the framework of the trans-European transport network.