UDC 339.926:[332.135:339.9]:[331+314](477):061.1,JELO19,R23
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Authors

Resume

Major problems of cross-border cooperation development between Ukraine and the EU on the current stage of European integration are examined. The fact that economic convergence within the cross-border region «Ukraine-EU» reflects the success of cross-border cooperation is proved. This is stipulated by major tasks attributed to cross-border cooperation. Primarily, it refers to the leveling of limiting border function, equaling of social living standards on both sides of the border, activation of cross-border entrepreneurship and implementation of joint investment projects, directed at economy development of the whole cross-border region.
Special attention is paid to considerable role of human and demographic potential in terms of expansion of convergence processes in cross-border space between Ukraine and the EU. In particular, the fact that reduction of population and falling of its qualification level that happens under the conditions of strengthening of labour migration from bordering regions of the Western Ukraine into the EU countries leads to negative consequences is stressed. Primarily, it concerns worsening of the quality of labour resources used in the system of cross-border business and in the work of local governance bodies of bordering territorial communities, and public society institutes involved in cross-border cooperation.
The necessity of top priority development of cross-border labour markets is emphasized in order to increase the efficiency of exploitation of human and demographic potential of Ukraine’s bordering regions, first of all those bordering the EU. The fact that evolution of cross-border labour markets is accompanied by the leveling of labour costs within the whole cross-border region is proved. It promotes maintenance and recovery of human and demographic potential in the zones of cross-border space that are deemed to be depressed. Consequently, convergent processes are being activated and positive institutional impulses, directed at strengthening of bilateral integration in the social and economic space between Ukraine and the EU are being formed.
On this basis the range of proposals for state authorities operating at central and regional levels is suggested. Primary attention is proposed to be paid to the improvement of managers training quality and activation of informational and educational activity in bordering territorial communities of Ukraine aith attraction of specialists from EU countries.
Directions of increasing of local governance management efficiency in the bordering territories of Ukraine are separately outlined. In particular, it is related to improvement of their functional capacity in terms of conducting of administrative and territorial reform. Introduction of subsidiary principle into the practice of regional management of Ukraine’s bordering regions is the major principle of the reform. This will allow bringing their competence level closer to the requirements put before the local governance bodies of bordering territories of EU countries that border Ukraine. As the result, harmonization of institutional environment will take place and will positively influence the convergence and efficiency of human capacity exploitation in the «Ukraine-EU» cross-border region.
Special attention is paid to informational-educational, organizational-institutional and infrastructural components of development of cross-border region’s socio-economic space that encompasses bordering territories of Ukraine and of neighbouring Poland, Slovak Republic, Hungary and Romania.

Keywords:

convergence, socio-economic space, cross-border region, EU, human and demographic potential