CLUSTER MODEL OF CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION BETWEEN UKRAINE AND POLAND IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

Abstract

The article examines the transformation of the concepts of “economic integration” and “cross-border cooperation” in the context of Ukraine’s European integration. It is argued that classical definitions, focused mainly on trade liberalization and the removal of tariff barriers, no longer fully capture the multidimensional nature of contemporary integration processes, in which institutional interaction, production cooperation and the creation of cross-border public goods play a decisive role. Particular attention is paid to Ukrainian-Polish cooperation, which is increasingly acquiring the features of complex economic and research-and-innovation interaction and thus forms a favorable basis for the development of cross-border cluster cooperation. Methodologically, the study relies on content analysis and critical comparison of existing theoretical approaches, legal acts and strategic documents that regulate or describe integration and cross-border interaction. On this basis, the author clarifies the economic essence and functional role of “economic integration” and “cross-border cooperation” for neighboring states participating in European integration processes. The article substantiates an author’s definition of cross-border cooperation that emphasizes its institutional, economic and innovation dimensions and the creation of shared cross-border public goods. Building on the identified trends and the analysis of Ukrainian-Polish trade and production links, the paper proposes a conceptual model of cyclic cluster cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. The model includes five interrelated phases: project initiation, harmonization of the regulatory and legal framework, formation of cluster structures, implementation of joint projects and evaluation of the obtained results with feedback for the next cycle. The logic of the model ensures the transition from scattered initiatives to long-term partnership formats, supports the reproduction and scaling of successful cluster projects and allows adaptation to different sectors and numbers of participants. It is argued that the proposed model can serve as a practical tool for strategic planning of cross-border development, contribute to the deepening of economic integration between Ukraine and Poland, reduce existing asymmetries in bilateral trade and strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and innovation potential of the participating regions within the European economic space. The results create a policy framework for further empirical studies.