Cross -border cooperation: Lower Austria and the Czech Republic strengthen health and culture!

Cross -border cooperation: Lower Austria and the Czech Republic strengthen health and culture!

Gmünd, Österreich - Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner presented the current status of the cross-border dialogue between Lower Austria and the Czech Republic after a job interview with district chiefs from South Moravia and Vysočina as well as the former district captain of South Bohemia. According to Oots.at emphasized the close cooperation that has existed since the 1980s. This is more important than ever, especially in times of global uncertainties.

A seventh work program is currently being prepared by 2029, which includes a total of 13 working groups. These groups will develop solutions for essential topics such as culture, youth, health, transport and disaster protection. The health area in which the Healthcross Med Gmünd Health Center plays a central role that looks after around 65,000 patients annually was particularly emphasized

health cooperation in the border area

The Healthcross Med Gmünd, which has been treated by both the Czech and Austrian patients since 2021, is considered a pioneer in Europe in the area of cross -border health care. As medgmuend Interreg programs that have been launched in border regions with the aim of improving health and quality of life since 2007. An investment of up to 120 million euros is planned for the construction of a new health clinic in Gmünd.

The initiative "Healthcross" bundles all international health activities in Lower Austria and represents a significant cross -country cooperation. The importance of this cooperation was also emphasized when an international delegation of the Danube region Strategy was informed in April 2024.

cultural aspects and regional development

In the cultural area, the state exhibition 2028 in Gmünd will play a key role in regional development under the title "Wasserwelt Waldviertel". This exhibition will be an important supplementary offer to the European Capital of Culture in 2028 in Budweis. Mikl-Leitner also mentioned the planned renovation of the palm house in Gmünd for cultural purposes, which makes the city an important point of contact between Vienna and Prague.

The good cooperation between the regions has led to a doubling of economic output and increasing exports and investments. Historical milestones for this include the case of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and the EU joining of Austria in 1995 and the Czech Republic in 2004. District captain Jan Grolich recalled the life-saving measures of the Lower Austrian flight rescue during the Tornado in South Moravia, while Martin Kukla from the successful Youth University Waldviertel and the first cross-border exhibition in 2009 reported.

The role of Interreg

The entire cross-border cooperation benefits from the Interreg programs that aim to improve economic development and quality of life in border regions. These programs relate to NUTS-III regions of neighboring member states and are composed of EU funding as well as national and regional means, as in an article on Interreg.de is explained.

Overall, cross -border cooperation between Lower Austria and the Czech Republic is a prime example of successful international cooperation that not only illuminates the economic, but also cultural and health aspects.