PL
Alternatywą dla koncepcji państwa izolowanego w swych granicach jest objęcie współpracą stref pogranicza. Rozwijająca się w różnych formach i zakresach współpraca pomiędzy wspólnotami i władzami terytorialnymi dwóch lub więcej państw nosi miano transgranicznej. Uznawana jest powszechnie za istotny wkład w nurt procesów integracyjnych we współczesnej Europie. Dynamiczny rozwój w ostatnich latach tej współpracy w krajach Europy Środkowej i Wschodniej jest z jednej strony wyrazem akceptacji dla wizji „wspólnej Europy", z drugiej zaś - nadzieją na przełamanie dystansu cywilizacyjnego, dzielącego je od państw zachodnioeuropejskich.
EN
Transborder co-operation is one way of realising the vision of the united Europe outlined in the Maastricht Treaty. The integrating function of this co-operation is linked to the evolving concept of state borders in contemporary Europe. European states are transforming from politically isolated, economically weak and depopulated zones into active and lively areas of neighbourly co-operation and exchange. Transborder regions are increasingly playing the role of bridges uniting Europe and transborder co-operation is a critical stimulator of this process. Transborder co-operation has long traditions in Western Europe. It has proven successful as a building block of integration in that part of the continent. This type of co-operation has also gained popularity in Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, after the collapse of the communist bloc. The countries of the region see the development of transborder relations as a vital opportunity to fill the gap between them and the nations of Western Europe. The Council of Europe and the European Union have actively encouraged and guided transborder co-operation. The role of the first organisation is to provide the legal and structural framework and the latter has practically supported the process primarily by instituting specific programmes. The European dimension of transborder co-operation does not exclude diversity among the various transborder regions, even within one country. The essence of co-operation is the pursuit of unity with full respect given to the diverse national considerations, traditions and aspirations. The free development of transborder co-operation faces a number of constraints, especially especially if partners thereto come from Central and Eastern Europe. The difficulties arise because of incompatible state structures, different stage of decentralisation of power and responsibility, the lingering mistrust in international relations and signs of nationalism. These problems have surfaced in Poland and particularly in its eastern regions. However, the development of transborder ties in our country may be considered well advanced, both in terms of diversity of forms and pace.