Economic Partnership as a Stabilizing Factor for Shaping Political and Social Cooperation. The case of Evros-Maritza-Meric Euroregion

Abstract: Cross-border integration between Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria has been recently dominated by traditional perception of political diplomacy that overrides the considerations for economic cooperation. This project suggests that more in-depth case analysis of the Evros-Maritza-Meric Euroregion will elucidate the evolution of this concept. The existence of long-term barriers in the cross-border region impeded the process of synergies exploitation as well as utilization of existing driving forces. The recent EU enlargement and Turkey’s EU membership negotiations lessened considerably the tensions in the region and opened up new venues to fully explore the potential of three corner area i. e. the Evros-Maritza-Meric Euroregion.