Will reducing border barriers via the EU's b-solutions lead towards greater European territorial integration?. Issue 3 (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Medeiros, Eduardo; Ramírez, Martín Guillermo; Dellagiacoma, Cinzia; Brustia, Giulia
• Is Part Of: Regional studies. Volume 56:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 517
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: b-solutions -- barrier effect -- border obstacles -- European territorial integration -- European territorial cooperation; R5 -- R58; Regional planning -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 307.14
• DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2021.1912724
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-3404

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Despite the positive contributions of several European Union (EU) policies to reduce border barriers, the EU Cross-Border Review (CBR) initiative reaffirmed their relevance and persistence. Since 2018, the EU has supported the b-solutions initiative, specifically focused on tackling legal and administrative border obstacles, aiming to highlight replicable solutions which can contribute to reducing these obstacles. This article critically assesses the b-solutions and its contribution to reducing administrative and legal border obstacles, with an eye to promoting a more integrated European territory. It is concluded that b-solutions is a valid, yet insufficient, initiative to provide replicable solutions to mitigate cross-border barriers.