The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) as a Strategic Agreement for Cooperation Policies

The study examines the opportunities offered by EC Regulation 1082/2006, along with those offered by the Convention of Madrid, and envisages the establishment of EGTCs (European Group of Territorial Cooperation) as tools to reinforce cooperation projects between territorial bodies from different Member States. Tasks that the EGTCs are called upon to perform by community law are illustrated within the Framework of projects financed by the ERDF, as well as through other kinds of financial support. A general overview of the procedures to establish such groups is presented, based on recent; Italian law, and points out some critical aspects. The core of this analysis, however, is devoted to the organizational order needed by an EGTC in order to achieve its aims effectively. Therefore, special attention is attached to time aspect of an EGTC, as a strategic agreement rather than as a functional entity. The article concludes with an elaboration of medium-term projects as political initiatives, the establishment of a permanent and stable Group seat: for discussion and debate and assigning regional and local administrations with the tasks of turning these projects into practice.