International Transport Corridors and Ukraine: Benefits of Cross-Border Cooperation with Romania

• Author: Vladlen Makoukh
• Pages: 272-280

European Integration - Realities and Perspectives. Proceedings 2018

272

International Transport Corridors and Ukraine: Benefits of Cross-Border

Cooperation with Romania

Vladlen Makoukh1

Abstract: One of the problems of modern Ukraine is the weak development of international transport

corridors that would connect different regions of Ukraine with European countries. A separate issue is the

lack of transport routes in the south of Ukraine (Odessa Region) that could become a connecting link for

the development of trade, tourism and facilitate humanitarian contacts between the populations of the

border regions. The main purpose of thi s work is to consider the potential of combining separate regions

of Ukraine with the regions of European countries through highways and railroads, and to analyze the

economic benefits of these transport connections. Particular attention is paid to the use of opportunities

for cross-border cooperation for the implementation of pr omising projects in the transport sector. In

particular, the paper considers international tr ansport projects implemented over a decade (project of a

transport ring around the Black Sea, the project of the Baltic Sea-Black Sea cooperation), as well as more

recent projects that are worthy of attention (the project Via Carpathia). Also, the factors that may

complicate the implementation of transport projects are taken into consideration.

Keywords: international transport corridors; cross-border cooperation; Ukraine; European Union

1. Introduction

An important aspect of the development of UkraТne’s regions of is the establishment of cross-border

cooperation between the border regions. One of the forms of such cooperation is the Euroregion. The

European Commission considers cooperation within the Euroregions as the best form of developing

relations between the border areas. Moreover, as demonstrated by practical experience, the European

Commission is more willing to provide financing for projects within the Euroregions. Owing to the

Euroregions, economic, cultural, and interethnic links between the border administrative and territorial

entities of neighboring countries are greatly simplified. An important role in this respect is given to the

creation of fundamentally new international transport corridors that have a positive impact on the

economic situation of the neighboring countries and turn them from competitors to partners. That is

why Ukraine is determined to use the mechanism of cooperation between the border areas of

neighboring countries, and this is being realized through the activities of the Euroregions.

On the Ukrainian side, an important part is played by the Lower Danube Euroregion, which was

created on August 14, 1998 in the Romanian city of GalaţТ, where the agreement on its formation was

signed. This Euroregion includes the Odessa region (Ukraine), the VulcăneștТ, Cahul and Cantemir

districts (Republic of Moldova) and the counties of BrăТla, Tulcea and GalaţТ (Romania).

1 I.I. Mechnikov Odessa National University, Ukraine, Address: . Дь, 2, Odesa, Odessa Oblast, UkraТne, 65000,

Tel.: +380 48 723 5254, Corresponding author: makoukh@ukr.net.