In European politics, the term Euroregion usually refers to a transnational co-operation structure between two (or more) contiguous territories located in different European countries. Euroregions represent a specific type of cross-border region.
Euroregions usually do not correspond to any legislative or governmental institution or have direct political power. Their work is limited to the competencies of the local and regional authorities which constitute them. They are usually arranged to promote common interests across the border and cooperate for the common good of the border populations.
The Association of European Border Regions sets the following criteria for the identification of Euroregions (taken from the Local and Regional Democracy and Good Governance Website of the Council of Europe):
- An association of local and regional authorities on either side of the national border, sometimes with a parliamentary assembly;
- A transfrontier association with a permanent secretariat and a technical and administrative team with own resources;
- Of private law nature, based on non-profit-making associations or foundations on either side of the border in accordance with the respective national law in force;
- Of public law nature, based on inter-state agreements, dealing among other things, with the participation of territorial authorities.
It is difficult to associate one legal framework to the term "Euroregion", as they operate across country borders and vary widely in their particular forms.
The naming convention for Euroregions is as varied as the forms of the regions themselves. The most common local names for a Euroregion include euregio, euregion, euroregion, eurorégion, euroregión, euroregione, euro-região, ευρωπεριοχή, europaregion, euroregiune, grande région, еврорегён (evroregion), regio, conseil, or council.