- The programme features an interview with Elena de Miguel Gago, Director of the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Spain-Portugal Programme (POCTEP).
- Featuring references to POCTEP projects such as NEXOMAR and TECNOLIVO, the episode is available to listen to on Spotify.
Cross-border cooperation between Spain and Portugal takes centre stage in a new episode of Conexión Europa, a programme dedicated to raising public awareness of the impact of European Union policies and initiatives across European territories.
The programme featured Elena de Miguel Gago, Director of the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Spain-Portugal Programme (POCTEP), who explained how European territorial cooperation helps transform borders into spaces of opportunity by promoting shared solutions to common challenges and fostering the economic, social and environmental development of border regions.
During the interview, Elena de Miguel highlighted the role of POCTEP, one of the European Union’s largest cross-border cooperation programmes. POCTEP funds joint projects involving Spanish and Portuguese organisations to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, sustainability and territorial cohesion on both sides of the border.
The episode also highlighted specific examples of cooperation supported by the programme. These included NEXOMAR, a POCTEP initiative connecting Andalusia, Alentejo and the Algarve to promote maritime logistics, innovation and the internationalisation of businesses. The project demonstrates how cross-border cooperation can create new economic opportunities and strengthen connections between territories that share common challenges and interests.
The programme also featured Javier Sánchez Rojas, President of the Chambers of Commerce of Andalusia and of the Jerez Chamber of Commerce, who highlighted the value of European cooperation in strengthening the business community, enhancing competitiveness and promoting the sustainable development of the participating regions.
Based on the premise that borders can become spaces for meeting and collaboration, this episode of Conexión Europa showed how territorial cooperation programmes and initiatives help bring Europe closer to its citizens and generate a tangible impact on people’s lives.
Because when territories cooperate, borders cease to be barriers and become bridges connecting people, projects and opportunities.