Development of interregional cooperation in the European Union: lessons for the Russian Federation

The article analyzes the practice of the development of interregional cooperation in the countries of the European Union and the potential of its adaptation for the Russian Federation. The goal of this research is to determine the major conditions that will foster the development of interregional cooperation in Russia. The article argues that the European regions and Russian regions share some of the common problems including high levels of economic differentiation and ethnic diversity. The main findings of the paper demonstrate that successful cooperation is largely dependent on the initiative from local and regional authorities, extensive institutional infrastructure, long-term strategy for regional integration, support from different strata of society, and capability of ensuring outside financing.