Problems of cross-border regional integration: The case of the German-Polish border area

in the framework of European integration there is a growing interest in the development of border regions in East Central Europe. This article deals with the problems of regional integration in the German-Polish border region, following an approach that emphasizes the regions' economic organization, institutional fabric and sociocultural environment. New economic links between Western European and East-Central European firms do not necessarily lead to a revaluation of the border region or to the formation of transborder integrated economic regions. Instead, there is a tendency towards the development of new economic links which overlook the border region. Up to now, cooperation between regional firms is weak within the border region. The region's sociocultural environment in terms of a 'low trust environment' and a specifically shaped social distance between the neighbouring regions are a further hindrance to regional integration. These findings are being related to strategic options of regional development policy in the border region.