External Relations of Unitary Countries Subnational Regions in the EU: Main Trends

Relevance. The involvement of subnational regions in the political process in the second half of the 20th century led to their perception as actors. Gradually, the regions began to carry out external relations. At the moment this is typical for the subnational level of federations as well as for the regions of unitary countries. Together with significant advantages for the development of the regions, this phenomenon holds a great potential for conflict. This process is most clearly manifested in the framework of integration entities, since there the involvement of the subnational level in the decision-making process inevitably leads to the implementation of external relations. The analysis of these links seems relevant due to the development of integration processes in the world, as well as taking into account the quantitative predominance of unitary states. Taking into account the depth of integration and the number of unitary states, the European Union is seen as the most illustrative example.
The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze the main trends of the implementation of external relations by subnational regions of unitary countries within the EU.
Objectives of the study are to analyze the dynamics of the implementation of these links and closely related processes arising in the political architecture of the EU.
Methodology. While preparing the study, general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis of scientific information, as well as structural-functional and comparative methods were used.
Results. Four main trends of the implementation of external relations of subnational regions within the EU are identified: directly characterizing the process (deepening institutionalization and development of the regulatory framework; expanding the range of topics) and mentioning the related processes (involvement of the municipal level in the implementation of external relations; formation of a single administrative field of external relations at the subnational level).
Conclusion. The changes taking place with the entire complex of external relations of subnational regions of unitary countries within the EU allow to interpret them not as a tool in the implementation of local tasks, but as an integral element of the EU political architecture.

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