This paper deals with the significant European aims of the process of
intra-continental integration, as well as the role of the urban centers in
its transregional cooperation. Although the process of transborder
cooperation of towns exists also in other parts of the world, the roots of
that complex form of cooperation appeared rather early in Western Europe. The
area of Central Europe, especially the politically unstable southeastern part
of the continent, are considerably late in this process. Serbia, especially
its western and southern parts, is even more late in transborder regional
cooperation of towns. The paper emphasizes that towns of Serbia, as
development carriers with their intellectual potentials, have to express the
ideas on starting the international actions. The possibilities are extensive:
activation of neglected cooperation relations, improvement of technological
and economical development, modernization of infrastructural systems,
cooperation in culture, education, sports and recreation, environmental
protection, etc. Towns need to find the ways for all kinds of cooperation
with surrounding towns, if such cooperation gives the results which are
favourable for both parties. Isolation from the world courses would lead to
long-term stagnation. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br.
176017
