Relations of Local and Regional Governments along the Hungarian and Slovak Border

Abstract

The Hungarian and the Slovak administration are both basically of municipality nature, but significant differences have emerged at the medium level. Whereas in Slovakia the medium level was strengthened at the expense of state offices, in Hungary it happened quite the other way round. This makes cooperation for borderland municipalities more difficult, because the neighbouring partners are different, regulations concerning them are different and their deci- sion-making competences are also different. The possibility of crossing these borders, which were marked out during the 20th century, has frequently changed since then. After twin-town relations and euroregional cooperation, regional cooperation groupings have emerged. Occa- sional cooperation, which expressed national sympathy, is gradually being replaced by pro- ject-based cooperation, which makes it possible to develop steady work relations and orga- nize services together. In accordance with gravitation, diverse social and economic move- ments have started along this long section of the border.