ИСТИНА

Neighbourhood policy of the EU originally includes the cross-border cooperation. Russia refused to consider itself an object of the neighborhood policy, but agreed to participate in cross-border cooperation programs (CBC Programs) on its borders with the EU. In the framework of cross-border cooperation, it was possible to do what was not achieved in the framework of international relations: the interaction has become more equal and attractive for both sides. Our study shows that CBC Programs with the EU have resulted in reformatting all institutions and the spatial structure of the cross-border cooperation. There was a selection of Euroregions and the emergence of new regional structures similar to them. The most effective Euroregions (for example, Karelia) were able to use the financial resources of the Programs to initiate and support their own projects, others (Sheshupe, lyna-Lava, etc.) were doomed to gradual decay. At the same time, cross-border networks in the border region have developed sustainable partnerships that include major cities and border municipalities. Thus, despite the rejection of the goals and objectives of the neighborhood policy, as well as the alienation between Russia and the EU, it is the experience of cooperation on the border of Russia and the EU is seen as an example for other parts of the Russian border. This experience shows that promising models of bilateral interactions can be found at the subregional level. European neighborhood, cross border cooperation, CBC Programs, Russian borderland