STRENGTHENING INTERREGIONAL INTERACTIONS AS A TOOL FOR SMOOTHING SPATIAL POLARIZATION (ON THE EXAMPLE OF REGIONS OF THE NORTHWESTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT)

This paper is devoted to the analysis of problems and prospects of strengthening interregional interactions. The strengthening of cooperative ties between regions has a beneficial effect not only on technological, but also on the socio- economic and spatial development of regions, thus, it can be considered as a tool to reduce spatial polarization. The article describes the regions of the Northwestern Federal District in the context of spatial polarization, analyzes the instrument of indus- trial and spatial policy – interregional clusters, analyzes the potential for the creation of new interregional clusters in the regions of the Northwestern Federal District based on the current industry specialization and, in general, to strengthen interactions between regions.