Editors and Contributors; 1 Introduction; Abstract; 1.1 Currently; 1.2 Theoretical Framework; 1.3 Presentation of the Grant Project; 1.4 Structure of the Book-Thematic Focus; Acknowledgements; References; 2 Changing European Union: The Schengen Agreement; Abstract; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Changing Context of the European Union: Different Zones of Integration; 2.3 Schengen Agreement: Gradual Enlargement and Multi-speed Integration; 2.4 Public Opinion on Free Cross-Border Movement and Control of Schengen External Frontier; 2.5 Conclusions; References

3 Development in the Border Areas as Part of the European Integration ProcessAbstract; 3.1 Cross-Border Issues as Part of Regional Policy and Regional Development; 3.2 A Reflection on Czechia's Joining the European Union by the Inhabitants of the Czech Border Regions; 3.3 Conclusion; References; 4 The Schengen Phenomenon-Fact or Fiction?; Abstract; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Schengen, Cross-Border Cooperation and the Culture of Border Checks; 4.3 Perception of Schengen Among the Inhabitants of Internal Borders of the EU Using the Example of the Czech Borderlands; 4.4 Conclusion; References

5 Euroregions as a Platform for Cross-Border CooperationAbstract; 5.1 Introduction-Basic Preconditions for Cross-Border Cooperation on the Czech Borderland; 5.2 The Institutionalisation of Cross-Border Cooperation-The Role and the Typology of Euroregions; 5.3 The European Dimension; 5.4 The Central European/Neighbourly and National Dimension; 5.5 A Subjective Reflection at the (Euro)Regional Level of the Czech Borderlands; 5.6 Conclusion; References; 6 Institutionalisation of Cross-Border Cooperation: The Role of the Association of European Border Regions; Abstract; 6.1 Introduction

6.2 Motives for Cross-Border Cooperation6.3 Added Value of Cross-Border Cooperation; 6.4 Achievements of Cross-Border Cooperation in Europe; 6.5 Future of Cross-border Cooperation in Europe; 6.6 Role of the Association of European Border Regions; 6.7 Conclusions; References; 7 Boundaries and Transborder Relations: The Case of Switzerland; Abstract; 7.1 General Aspects of Limits and Boundaries; 7.2 Switzerland and Its Boundaries; 7.3 The Dynamics of Border Functions: Overcoming Barriers; 7.3.1 The Legal Function; 7.3.2 The Control and Fiscal Functions

7.3.3 The Military and Ideological Functions7.4 The Process of Transborder Cooperation: Enhancing Interaction; 7.4.1 Conditions; 7.4.2 Example: the Basle Region as a pioneer; 7.4.3 Other Regional Transborder Cooperation Initiatives; 7.5 Conclusion; References; 8 Development of the Slovak Borderlands with an Emphasis on the Situation After Schengen: Internal and External Borders; Abstract; 8.1 Introduction; 8.2 The Development of Cross-Border Cooperation and the Activity of Euroregions in Slovakia; 8.2.1 The Institutional and Legislative Framework of Cross-Border Cooperation