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INTERREG III/A
SWOT ANALYSIS
SWOT ANALYSIS
INTERREG III/A
3.1.
SWOT ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
According to the methodology generally applicable in planning and design, it is necessary to
analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the region under examination, reflecting the very
differentiated conditions of the cross-border regions, in order to assess the potentialities and
risks, and also the appropriate strategies and goals, particularly in the case of areas where
the cooperation needs to be strengthened, as is the case of the border region.
3.2.
SWOT ANALYSIS DATA
The SWOT analysis is based on the examination of the existing conditions in the eligible
region of the INTERREG III/A Greece – Turkey Programme, considering the INTERREG
guidelines (Communication of April 28, 2000), and also from the European Spatial
Development Perspective (1999).
More specificaly, it was based:

On the assumption that the national borders should not constitute obstacles in the
balanced development and the unification of the European territory.

On strengthening the economies and social life in the eligible areas, so that further
marginalisation is avoided. Within the national borders and also in the new
evolving European Economic Space.

On the special geo-morphological characteristics of the area (large massifs, the
island mountainous character, special climate conditions) which create great
accessibility problems in the adjacent border regions, and therefore on normal
movement of persons and goods.

On the necessity to develop enterpreneurship in sectors that interest both
countries, for the optimum incorporation of the region’s economy.

On protecting and promoting the rich natural and cultural environment, aiming to
assure a multiplier effect in both countries, opening new possibilities and
prospects for various forms of economic mobilisation and growth.

On assuring conditions for sustainable development with protection and rational
management of the natural environment (soil, waters, biodiversity, woodlands).

On forming new balanced relations among urban and rural areas so as to contain
the
observed
depopulation
trend
and
consequent
urban
concentration,
phenomena which give rise to economic and social dysfunctions.

On encouraging cross-border cooperation between agencies charged with
economic and physical planning, and those that are charged with education and
research.
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
SWOT ANALYSIS
On reducing local disparities in terms of demographic changes, so as to address
the population loss problem evident in the area and the corresponding overconcentration in the metropolitan centers.

On maintaining natural resources at a high level, thus allowing their long term
maintenance or development. This can also be achieved with limiting human
intervention

On developing a shared mentality on cross-border cooperation at the cultural,
linguistic, economic, technical, administrative and geopolitical levels.

On dealing with current differences between the institutional structure and public
policies of the two countries, which hamper the development of cooperation.
3.3.
SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE BORDER REGION
The following tables present the Strengths and Weaknesses as well as the Threats and
Opportunities (SWOT analysis) of the cross-border region.
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SWOT ANALYSIS
3.3.1. Table 1: Strengths and weaknesses
Sector
Strengths
Weaknesses
Economy/
– Political stability and Accession of Greece in
– Specialisation of the secondary sector in traditional economic
the EMU.
activities, and low level of technological equipment of enterprises..
– Good quality and great variety of localy
– High dependency on the primary sector
produced products (primary and agricultural
– High inflation and insufficient financial recources
manufactured ones)
(Turkish side)
– Complementarity of productive activities
– Low level of foreign investment
– Existance of an economic activity center
– Lack of industrial networks and clusters
(Izmir) (Turkish side)
– Not enough RTD activities and facilities
Productive
sector
/SME’s
– existence of export industries in manufacturing
and agricultural sectors (Turkey)
Spatial development
– Advantageous position as far as the expansion
– Extensive continental and island mountain ranges posing
of the European Union further East is concerned
significant problems of accessibility-isolation.
– Important urban centres on either side of the
– Isolation of some small islands
border-secondary network of smaller urban
– Significant distance from the main development axes of the two
centres.
countries.
– Good soil and climate
– Urban concentration-High degree of depopulation of rural areas.
– Second most-developed region of Turkey
– Great differences of income between the cities and the villages
– Extensive coastline provide many amenities
– Insufficient government funding and investments (Turkey)
and advantages
– Outlet of inner provinces
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SWOT ANALYSIS
Sector
Strengths
Weaknesses
Transport –
– Modern telecommunications network.
– Small number of cross-border stations.
Communications –
– Existing transeuropean transport networks
– The quality of the primary network is poor and requires
Energy
– various ports and maritime transportation
significant investments for improvements and upgrading.
– Insufficient infrastructure namely railway networks
Environment/
– Rich natural environment
– Serious pressures on the water resources.
Quality of life
– Cross-border rivers, lakes and forests of great
– Existence of especially sensitive ecosystems.
ecological importance.
– Low level of services and utilities for the quality of life of the
– Bodies and agencies intensely active in
residents of agricultural areas (e.g., solid and liquid waste
protecting and promoting the environment
management systems).
– Extensive coastline
– The natural resources have not yet been recognised as an
important source of income.
– Deficiencies in the health services.
– Very long dry season resulting in huge forest fires
– Rivers highly polluted due to inland manufacturing (Turkey)
– Lack of environmental awareness and green areas in cities are
not up to European standards (Turkey).
Culture-Tourism
–
Rich
cultural
resources
and
natural
– Low tourist activity in some areas
environment
– Erosion of the cultural heritage of the two countries in those
– Important touristic infrastructures
areas affected by dense tourism.
–
Potential
activities
for
highly
diversified
tourism
– Visa requirement hinders the cooperation between the two
countries.
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Sector
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Weaknesses
– Extensive coastline.
Human Resources
– Existence of Research institutions and good
– Low level of cross-border cooperation between research and
Higher Educational Institutions.
educational bodies bewteen both countries.
– very young and highly educated skilled
.
poplation and good quality schools (Turkey)
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3.3.2. Table 2: Opportunities and threats
Sector
Opportunities
Constraints
Economy/
– Strengthening of cross-border enterpreneurship.
– Low degree of cross-border cooperation and
Productive sector /SME’s
– Encouragement of cross-border cooperation
economic integration of local economies.
between bodies charged with supporting SME’s,
– Economic priority on national development planning
urban centres and development agencies.
ignoring the cross-border integration of the local
– Strengthening of cross-border investments
economies
–
– Continued accumulation of economic activity in
Spatial development
Increased
demand
for
organic
agricultural
products
urban centres and coastal area
– EU expansion. to the East
– Risk of further alienation of the region and difficulty
– strengthenng co-operation with a view the
in its adaptation to the single European space.
develop cross-border regions and relations
–
– Alternative agricaltural activities provides with the
mountainous regions with emigration of the active
opportunities to obtain higher value added and to
population to the large urban centres
relieve the economic burden of out migration from
rural settlements
Depopulation
of
the
countryside
and
the
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SWOT ANALYSIS
Sector
Transport-Communications-Energy
Opportunities
–
–
Culture-Tourism
Constraints
Completion of trans-European networks (rail –
– Small degree of interconnection between the other
road).
areas.
Completion of port infrastructure
– Aggravation of the environment by infrastructure
– Very high potential for geo-thermal energy and
projects.
some regenerative energy production capacity
–
(Turkey)
investigated, documented and exploited (Turkey).
– Protection, promotion and utilisation of cross-
–Irrational development of tourism and pressures on
border cultural and tourist resources
land use.
High
geo-thermal
potential
is
not
properly
– Development of various forms of tourism
– Prevention of sea pollution
Environment/
– Cooperation in the management and protection of
– Risk of pollution of transnational ecosystems.
Quality of life
water resources.
– Inconsiderate use of natural resources.
– Management, promotion and protection of the
– Risk of infection by waste products.
natural environment.
– Threats of destruction of the forest resources (fires
– Prevention of natural and technological disasters
et al).
and establishment of joint system for monitoring
and emergency action.
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SWOT ANALYSIS
Sector
Human Resources
Opportunities
–
Existence
of
research
Constraints
institutions
and
– High unemployment (especially in specific areas)
Universities.
– Depopulation of the countryside, the mountainous
– Cooperation for proper management of human
areas and the small isolated islands, as the workforce
resources with the aim of promoting employment.
moves to the large urban centres.
– Encouragement of cross-border activities through
cooperation for better health services, using new
technologies.
–
Opportunity
to
develop
better
cooperation
between research institution, Universities and
industry. Opportunity to work cooperatively to this
end
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3.4.
SWOT ANALYSIS
CONCLUSIONS
The location of the eligible region under the INTERREG III/A GREECE – TURKEY
programme is of strategic importance due to its natural position, and its great geopolitical
importance. The particular historical circumstances did not allow the area to develop strong
transnational cooperation in order to make use of its rich natural reserves, the cultural
heritage and exploit economies of scale for the development of economic activities. Its special
geomorphological status and the lack of integrated infrustructure deepened the isolation of
these areas.
Therefore, the development of cooperation and the promotion of good neighbourhood
relations between the two countries would contribute greatly to boosting the development of
the necessary conditions for well being, to the promotion of their inborn advantages, and to
the promotion of the area as a major node for stability and wellbeing in the Balkans and the
Mediterranean.
The strategy of this programme will have to focus, throughout the whole implementation
period, to the balanced development of the adjacent cross-border regions, which will improve
the economic prospects and strengthen the socio-economic networks of the adjacent regions
so as to have a positive impact to the population living in the cross-border area.