International Investment Cooperation in the Development of Transport Infrastructure in the Lower Danube Euroregion

The aim of the article is to determine the current state, features, and prospects of international investment cooperation in the development of transport infrastructure within a specific Euroregion, namely «Lower Danube», as a special form of interaction between local self-government bodies of neighboring countries on both sides of the common border. The Lower Danube Euroregion, which encompasses the border areas of Ukraine, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova, is regarded as a transit hub between the European Union, the Balkan Peninsula, and the countries of the Northern Black Sea region. The relevance of the topic is attributed to the strategic location of the Euroregion, the presence of significant agro-industrial and logistical potential, as well as the existence of modern geopolitical and security challenges. The article analyzes the current state of international investment cooperation within the studied Euroregion, presenting key projects aimed at developing the transport infrastructure of the border regions of Ukraine, Romania, and the Republic of Moldova, which have been implemented with the support of international partners and financial institutions. The main restraining factors to economic development are identified, particularly the low level of infrastructure and human capital development. A number of possible measures are proposed to activate joint infrastructure initiatives that can be implemented within the framework of the European Union’s Strategy for the Danube Region. Such measures include the need for coordinated government policy to increase local community involvement in the decision-making process and participation in the priority areas of the Strategy, primarily those related to improving the accessibility and quality of transport routes and the corresponding auxiliary infrastructure. It is substantiated that deepening international investment cooperation will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the Lower Danube Euroregion. It is concluded that expanding intermunicipal cooperation within the Lower Danube Euroregion and active participation in macro-regional initiatives, particularly in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, open up new opportunities for attracting external financial and technical resources which, in turn, will contribute to improving the quality of life for the population of border areas and ensuring their sustainable development.