GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRITORIAL COOPERATION OF VOLYN REGION

Abstract

Spatial features of international territorial cooperation of the Volyn region were studied. The essence and types of international territorial cooperation are revealed. The dynamics of the number of signed cooperation agreements between the Volyn region and regions of foreign countries during 1995-2023 were analyzed. The positive dynamics of signing cooperation agreements in recent years was revealed. The geographical structure of the international territorial cooperation of the Volyn region is considered. Spatial differences in the levels of intensity of interregional cooperation between the administrative-territorial units of the Volyn region and foreign countries in terms of the number of signed agreements on cooperation and partnership cooperation were revealed. It was established that the Volyn region cooperates with the administrative and territorial units of 8 foreign countries, not only in Europe, but also in Latin America. It is emphasized that due to the number of signed agreements, the Volyn region cooperates most closely with the Polish regions, primarily with the Lublin Voivodeship, due to its neighboring status. It is noted that the cooperation between the Volyn region and Belarus was terminated with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine, despite the large number of signed agreements. Attention is focused on the fact that the geography of international territorial cooperation of the Volyn region is expanding, especially at the level of cities and territorial communities. It is indicated that the international territorial cooperation of the Volyn region is both symmetrical, i.e. between administrative-territorial units of the same level, and asymmetric, i.e. between regions of different ranks.