On Monday 24 March, the EU Council adopted without debate its position, the result of a compromise with the European Parliament, on the ‘Border Regions’ instrument for development and growth’ (‘BRIDGEforEU’). Only the Czech Republic abstained.
On 17 December, EU Council and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement regarding this new instrument (see EUROPE 13547/19).
On 27 January, Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development approved the outcome of the inter-institutional negotiations. Parliament had committed to adopting the Council’s position without amendments at second reading.
Under the compromise, maritime borders remain within the scope of the text, but the provisions do not require cross-border coordination points to be established for maritime borders, even though Member States have established them for land borders.
Establishing cross-border coordination points is voluntary and Member States are free to choose how to resolve cross-border obstacles, including not resolving them.
In addition, natural persons are prevented from initiating cross-border cases, according to the text (https://aeur.eu/f/g33 ). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)