On 17 April 2026, the European Commission published the study “Strengthening the Partnership Principle in EU Candidate Countries through Interreg Programmes”, emphasizing the important role of Interreg programmes in supporting enlargement countries and strengthening participatory governance.
The study focuses on how the Partnership Principle of EU Cohesion Policy is implemented in enlargement countries through Interreg programmes. This principle, established in the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) and reinforced by the European Code of Conduct on Partnership (ECCP), ensures the involvement of public authorities, regional and local bodies, economic and social partners, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders in the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes.
The enlargement process currently involves nine countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine. The process supports democratic and economic reforms in these countries as they advance toward EU membership.
The study underlines that Interreg programmes involving candidate countries are valuable tools for preparing the ground for future regional and national mainstream Cohesion Policy programmes. Through cross-border cooperation, candidate countries gain practical experience in applying EU principles of multi-level governance, institutional coordination, and stakeholder participation.
For the Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–North Macedonia 2021–2027 Programme, the Partnership Principle remains a fundamental element of programme implementation.
📖 Read the full European Commission study here.