Economic integration as a form and result of cross-border cooperation between regions of neighboring states

The article analyses the results of scientific research on cross-border interaction carried out by Russian authors over the past 26 years. This allowed us to identify a wide range of research areas dealing with various aspects of economic, social, political, cultural and other ties between border regions. The relevance of scientific research in the field of cross-border cooperation and economic integration in border regions is due to their high economic and social significance as a space of contact between different states and markets. It was found that interregional cross-border socio-economic relations and the process of economic integration in border regions remain insufficiently researched aspects of regional economic theory. In addition, the system of indicators that allows us to give a comprehensive assessment of interregional cross-border economic interactions has not been developed yet. It was found that the reduction of the barrier function of border and economic integration of two border regions can occur under the conditions of sustainable in-system equilibrium and the complicatedly structured movement of factors of production from each border economic system through the “channels of integration.” The functioning of these “channels” results in the development of the economic potential of border regions and changes in economic activity and quality of life on their territory. The article suggests the structure of components of economic potential, economic activity and quality of life in border regions, taking into account six active factors of production, including human, natural-resource, technical-technological, institutional, organisational and information factors. It is proposed to study the process of regions’ involvement in cross-border integration processes on the basis of a preliminary assessment of their economic potential, economic activity and quality of life, as well as in the coordinates of competitiveness, sustainability and security of regional development, in connection with which a system of indicators of the competitiveness, sustainability and security development of cross-border economic integration is developed.