The regional structure of Albania, Bulgaria and Greece: Implications for cross-border cooperation and development

The forces of integration and transition in Europe are generating a new geography of economic relations and structures that affects the Balkan region in a very fundamental way. This article analyses the regional structure of Albania, Bulgaria and Greece, focusing on the intensity of regional disparities, the geographical distribution of activities, and the barriers to economic interaction. The analysis indicates that the new situation in the Balkans provides Greece with an opportunity to overcome geographical isolation, and deal with its regional problems as well as the difficulties of the European integration process. It also provides the Balkan countries with an opportunity to interact and cooperate. From the strategic point of view, the long-term interests of Greece and the other countries in the region require stable relations, successful implementation of the policies of transition, and a policy mix promoting unification and coherence of the European economic space, the development of the European south-eastern region, and the facilitation of cross-border co-operation.