Paradiplomacy as a Tool for Enhancing Interregional Cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe

The features of the implementation of paradiplomacy in the context of the development of cooperation between the border regions of Central and Eastern Europe have been analyzed in this article.It has been established that the regional and crossborder cooperation that are the form of realization of paradiplomacy became the important element of interaction of Central and Eastern Europe countries at the turn of 80s-90s of the 20 th century.Considerable attention was paid to the analysis of such form of paradiplomacy as euroregions which are created to stimulate the cultural and economic development of border regions.After analyzing the implementation of regional cooperation with the wide involvement of paradiplomacy tools, it has been proved that owing to their use there are additional incentives for socio-economic development of border areas and increase in the living standards of the local population.The article investigates the peculiarities of cooperation between the border regions of Central and Eastern Europe countries, members of the European Union.It has been determined that it is focused on economic and regional development, regional planning and tourism, environmental protection, transport infrastructure, culture, sports.Particular attention was paid to the practice of implementation of paradiplomacy by regional authorities and non-governmental actors (non-profit organizations, various social movements, clubs, interest associations) which have equal opportunities for this type of activity.To confirm this thesis, the article thoroughly analyzed the paradiplomacy practices of the Czech region of Znojmo, in the territory of which there is the large-scale cooperation of wine-making associations operating along the border between the Czech Republic and Austria.It was determined that the priority spheres of involvement of paradiplomacy tools in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are the economy, ecology, infrastructure, education, tourism, which are of significant interest for the development of cooperation between border regions.