On October 16, 2024, the Ludovika University of Public Service hosted an international conference titled “Rethinking Cross-Border Cooperation and Governance in the Era of Transformative Processes” at the Saint Ladislaus Chapel in Budapest. Organised by the Department of Governance and Public Policy and the LUPS-CESCI Research Group, the event addressed the evolving challenges and opportunities in cross-border cooperation amid current geopolitical tensions.

The conference commenced with a welcome address from Gergely Deli, Rector of the university, who underscored the importance of territorial cooperation in addressing the multilayered crises facing the European Union, including migration, Brexit, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. These crises have prompted a reconsideration of state borders and the need for effective cross-border cooperation.

Keynote speeches highlighted various aspects of cross-border governance. Péter Kiss-Parciu, Deputy Secretary of State from Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) as a vital instrument for regional collaboration, despite the stagnation caused by interconnected crises. Ricardo Ferreira from the European Commission emphasised the potential economic benefits of overcoming administrative barriers in EU border regions, while Daniel Klimovsky from Comenius University called for a reevaluation of local needs in cross-border projects.

The conference also featured practical insights through a panel discussion. Martin Lačný focused on the Slovak-Ukrainian border, introducing a new research tool to assess regional stability and development. Enya Újvári-Tămaș explored the historical context of Romanian-Hungarian border cooperation, while Yuliia Fetko addressed the importance of cross-border agreements in Ukraine. Gyula Ocskay shared insights on border management changes between Slovakia and Hungary, emphasising resilience in the face of challenges.

The conference concluded with a lively discussion led by Melinda Istenes-Benczi, a member of the research group. Students had the opportunity to engage with presenters, asking insightful questions that spanned legal aspects of cross-border cooperation and current geopolitical issues affecting borders. The event was wrapped up with closing remarks from Zsuzsanna Fejes, head of the research group, reflecting on the key takeaways and future directions for cross-border cooperation.

For a more detailed report, visit the website of the Research Group of Cross-Border Cooperation.