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The Aquitaine-Basque CountryEuro-region

What it is, goals, missions and governance

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionAbout it

We understand the cross-border cooperation in three levels:

• Micro-level: proximity cooperation (Bidasoa-Txingudy bay)

• Meso-level: urban approach (Eurociudad Vasca Baiona-San Sebastián)

• Regional-level: AECT Eurorregión Aquitania-Euskadi

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionAbout it

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionAbout itWEAKNESSES•Different competences•Different languages•Multiple stakeholders•Weak perception outside the border

STRENGTHS• History• No borders from 1992• Institutional relationships by decades• Common policies•EU legislative framework•Good perception by stakeholders

THREATS•Institutional competence•Lack of specificness •Technocratic project

OPPORTUNITIES•Economic need and complementary nature•Regional positioning•EU strategy: 2014-2020•Policy organisation: 3 levels (local, intermediary and regional)•Coordination of different stakeholders

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionAbout it

The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-Region is a European Grouping of

Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), with its own legal status established pursuant to EC Regulation No. 1082/2006, made up by the Basque Autonomous

Community and Aquitaine Region

- Headquarters in Hendaye- Under French legislation

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionAbout it

WHAT IS A EUROPEAN GROUPING OF TERRITORICAL COOPERATION?

European legal instrument, created to foster flexible, simple and more strategic territorial cooperation, by reducing the difficulties linked to the

different national legislation.

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionGoals and MissionsThe main aims of the EGTC are:

- Cooperate in a global and transversal manner

- Develop territorial cooperationfrom a European perspective

-Heighten the visibility of the 2 regions in the European arena

- Framework for cross-border relations

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionGoals and Missions

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionGoals and Missions

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionGovernance

Decision-taking authorities An ASSEMBLY of 20 members appointed jointly between the two regions A bi-annual PRESIDENCY, assumed alternatively A 6-member EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE made up jointly A DIRECTOR

Shared and multilevel governance

► The EGTC will operate as a network and with consensus

The preparing of a Euro-region project is part of a democratic, participative and citizenperspective

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionWhat for?

Consolidating cohesion Regional planning Setting up an area for networking and exchangeFrom the Bordeaux, Pau, Bilbao, Vitoria rhombus Setting up a collective project Overcoming barriers Obtaining a significant place in EuropeBeing heard individually and together

To achieve an attractive and dynamic open space

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Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionWhat are its benefits?

Size to be competitive Nearly five and a half inhabitants.

A new regional vision for planning

A framework to interact Overcoming obstacles

A different dimension

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The Aquitaine-Basque CountryEuro-region

Policy areas

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The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionPolicy areas Towards…

Improving communication between the two regions, fostering environmentally-friendly passenger and goods transport.

2011: over 9,000 lorries a day

Showcasing renewable energies

Developing R&D activities, to create a new social, economic and technological dynamics

Bihartean (2010)

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Promoting training and education through teacher and student mobility.

Euskampus Project.

Common work in areas linked to agriculture, forestry, food and health with priority being given to quality, denomination of origin, traceability and development of environmentally-friendly agriculture practices

Health convention

Reinforcing artistic and cultural dynamics

Showcasing all the tourist resources

The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionPolicy areas

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The Aquitaine-Basque CountryEuro-region

2011-2013 Guidelines

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The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-regionPriorities

Call for projects: €900,000 (2012-2013)

Working on sustainable mobility  

Structuring cross-border cooperation in the region and coordinating with stakeholders

The Euro-region has 4 major priorities

Installation and implementation

2014-2020 Strategic Plan

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The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-region Location

The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-region EGTCRue Leku-Eder, Z.I.Les Joncaux64700 Hendaye (France)

www.aquitaine-euskadi.eu

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The Aquitaine-Basque Country Euro-region

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