Interview with Sandro Gozi MP, rapporteur for the BRIDGEforEU regulation and vice-president of the MOT

In your opinion, what are the main benefits of the BRIDGEforEU regulation for border areas?

The new BRIDGEforEU Regulation is a tool capable of eliminating one of the root causes of the underdevelopment of cross-border living areas: the proliferation of bureaucratic barriers and legal obstacles to territorial cooperation, mobility, and the provision of cross-border public services.
I am convinced that the creation of cross-border coordination points and the voluntary application of the provisions of the Regulation will encourage a more structured and fruitful dialogue between public authorities, citizens, and businesses. This is essential to ensure a better understanding of cross-border dynamics and, consequently, to promote differentiated and appropriate development strategies.

How can this new framework strengthen cross-border cooperation at both European and national levels?

The added value of BRIDGEforEU lies in the fact that it will reinforce the potential of other instruments and funds, as well as the synergies between them. Above all, I am convinced that the removal of cross-border barriers will increase the impact of Interreg-funded projects, the implementation of which is often slowed down or blocked by bureaucracy or differences in administrative cultures between Member States.
European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs), another instrument provided for in the EU legal framework, will be able to play a greater role thanks to the new Regulation. With their expertise and knowledge of border realities, EGTCs will be able to play a central role in identifying obstacles or be directly designated as joint coordination points.
The application of bilateral treaties could also be sped up. The new Regulation authorises cross-border coordination points to forward border related cases to the bodies set up by agreements between Member States on cross-border cooperation (e.g. the Treaties of Aachen, Quirinal or Barcelona). This would increase the activity of the thematic working groups and the visibility of cross-border issues at ministerial summits.

How will the European Parliament support its implementation? And what role could the MOT play in this process?

The rapid creation of coordination points is essential if we are to make a positive contribution to the completion of the internal market in this particularly complex geopolitical context.
The European Parliament will continue to promote the use of the Regulation by a growing number of Member States and regions.  Even before the negotiations began, I made a commitment to provide measures and incentives for the use of the Regulation pending its entry into force. Last year, I proposed and obtained approval for a pilot project making €4 million from the European budget available to Member States that decide to set up cross-border coordination points. These funds will support Member States in the immediate designation of these coordination points and will reduce the administrative burden on national or regional budgets.
The MOT (Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière) would be an ideal candidate for the role of cross-border coordination point in France. It is firmly rooted in territories and, for nearly thirty years, has encouraged the exchange of good practices and solutions with a view to fostering the integration of cross-border living areas.

Consult the Regulation: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202500925

Photo : European Union 2022 – Source : EP.