Main objective of this Component for Cross border Cooperation is to treasure stability, security and prosperity of mutual interest for the countries concerned and to promote concordant, balanced and sustainable cross border development. Within the framework of the second IPA Component, the Republic of Macedonia will continue the cross border cooperation with the EU Member States – the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Greece, covered by the CARDS instrument. Moreover, within this Component, the Republic of Macedonia will effectuate cross border cooperation with the Republic of Albania and with its north border in near future. To that end, the Republic of Macedonia will participate in the Transnational Programme for SEE, as an extension of the CADSES Programme.

The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria

Specific objectives of the Programme are as follows: acceleration of the sustainable economic development in the cross border region, promotion of the social cohesion and cross border cooperation and development of the attractiveness and life quality in the cross border area. The Common Technical Secretariat is situated in Kustendil, and the regional office in Strumica. The border region covers the South-East, North-East and East regions on the Macedonian part and the district of Blagoevgrad and Kustendil on the Bulgarian part.

The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece

Specific objectives of the Programme are as follows: economic development of the border regions; infrastructure management for tourism and transportation as well as environmental improvements and people-to –people actions. The Common Technical Secretariat is situated in Thessaloniki, and the regional office in Bitola. The border region covers Pelagonia, Vardar, South-East and South-West regions on the Macedonia’s part, and the regions of Florina, Pela, Seres and Thessaloniki on the Greek part.

The Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Albania

Specific objectives of the Programme are as follows: promotion of the cross border economic, environmental and social developments through economic development emphasising promotion of tourism, sustainable environmental development highlighting protection, enhancement and management of natural recourses and ecosystem and social cohesion and cultural exchange through actions from people to people and from institutions to institutions. The Common Technical Secretariat is situated in Struga, and the regional office in Elbasan. The border region covers Pelagonia, South-West and Polog regions on the Macedonian part, and the regions of Diber, Korca and Elbasan on the Albanian part.

North Border

With regard to the North Border, the funds for cross border cooperation with the North Border for 2007 are reallocated in the Programme for Albania. The funds for 2008 are added to Component 1 – Fiche for Integrated Border Management. As soon as the programming conditions for Operative Programme for the North Border are completely developed, the Republic of Macedonia will assume OP programming to include the whole territory of the Republic of Macedonia in the IPA cross border cooperation.

Transnational Programme for South-East Europe

The Transnational Programme is mainly focused on the following areas: innovations; environment; accessibility; sustainable urban development. Transnational partnership will be developed within the framework of the Programme global objective relating to activities of strategic importance for territorial, economic and social integration improvement processes, and to contribute to cohesion, stability and competitiveness.

Key documents

Albania
- IPA Programme for Cross border Cooperation between Macedonia and Albania (Macedonian and English version)

Bulgaria
- IPA Programme for Cross border Cooperation between Macedonia and Bulgaria (Macedonian and English version)

Greece
- IPA-Programme for Cross border Cooperation between Macedonia and Greece (Macedonian and English version)

Kosovo

- IPA-Programme for Cross border Cooperation between Macedonia and Kosovo (Macedonian and English version)

Transnational Cooperation Programme for South East Europe (Macedonian and English version)