Experience of the Slovak Republic European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation

European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation a new instrument of EU Cohesion Policy Community legal instrument at the service of public entities willing to develop projects and activities of common interest in the field of territorial cooperation on optional base the objective of an EGTC shall be to facilitate and promote * cross-border * transnational and/or * interregional cooperation between its members with the exclusive aim of strengthening economic and social cohesion

Legal framework Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Act No 90/2008 Coll. on a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) and on the amendment of Act No 540/2001 Coll. on state statistics, as amended adopted national provisions in the EU Member States

EGTC Advantages own legal framework legal personality own budget and property employ staff limited number of compulsory organs all types of territorial cooperation participation entities of third countries new alternative to existing legal formats of cooperation Limitations legal framework contains legal loopholes vagueness of some wordings in the Regulation may create insecurities private law entities are excluded in principle adopted national provisions are different from each Member State

An EGTC shall be made up of members o Member States o regional authorities o local authorities o bodies governed by public law (Directive 2004/18/EC) o associations consisting of bodies belonging to one or more of these categories may also be members

Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic National approval authority Register Office maintains the register of EGTC also in electronic form the register is available at

EGTC and the Slovak Republic The EGTCs established in the Slovak Republic 1. EGTC KRAS - BODVA ltd. Members: local authorities - Hrušov (SK); Perkupa and Varbóc (HU) 2. EGTC Pons Danubii ltd. Members: local authorities –Hurbanovo, Kolárovo and Komárno (SK); Kisbér, Komárom and Tata (HU)

Representation of Slovak entities Representation of Slovak entities Ister Granum (HU) UTTS (HU) UTT (HU) Abaúj Abaújban (HU) Tritia (PL) Arrabona (HU) Slovak Republic regional authorities 1 local authorities bodies governed by public law 2

Findings of the Slovak Republic insufficient identification of objectives and tasks of the EGTC different legal status of the EGTC different liability of the members lack of overview in available legal framework insufficient funding of an established EGTC inaction some of established EGTC

Source: INTERACT Handbook – The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), December 2008 Preparation 2. Definition of the territorial scale 3. Identification of the essential competences and skills 4. Identification of the partners 5. Exploration of the available national legal frameworks 6. Consideration of the timing and potential risks of delays 1. Analysis of the needs and objectives of the cooperation

Thank you for your attention. Sandra Salamonová Director General of Section of Coordination of EU Funds Phone: Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic Námestie slobody 6, Bratislava 15