The first years of implementation of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/94 (3), establishing the PHARE cross-border programme in conjunction with Interreg, have already produced a number of positive results, notably through establishing a dialogue and cooperation between European Union border regions and adjacent regions in countries in central and eastern Europe, contributing to economic development in the border regions of these countries and to greater convergence with the level of development on the European Union side, and offering the opportunity to these regions to familiarise themselves with Interreg practices and procedures, including the design of regional development strategies for border regions.
