What is the European dimension of cross-border cooperation? University researchers, cross-border practitioners, regional political leaders and civil servants from European organisations provide a multifaceted overview of the subject. Examples of cooperation and Euroregions as well as the legal tools developed by the European Union (EU) and by the Council of Europe help to illustrate the role played by each European organisation in supporting cooperation not only within the EU, but also in the "Greater Europe" of the 47 Council of Europe member states. From the Council of Europe's pioneer action for cross-border cooperation in the 1960s to the EU Interreg programme in the 1990s and its territorial cohesion policy after 2007, all stages and features of the effort to promote cooperation are analysed. The lobbying role of cross-border associations is also examined.

The volume presents papers from the seminar held at the Council of Europe on 19 June 2009 and organized by the University of Strasbourg and the Euro-Institute of Kehl in cooperation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.