Peaceful Cooperation and Reluctant Europeanisation in the Border Region of Schleswig

ABSTRACT When it comes to Europeanisation on a subnational level the Danish–German border region of Schleswig does not provide a prominent example of best practise in an EU context. It was never a first mover, and compared to others, it is still lagging behind in several aspects. There are historic reasons for this reluctance, and the article explores the question of Europeanisation on a subnational level from a historical perspective. The border was established in 1920 and has generally been considered an achievement, and even the celebrated Bonn‐Copenhagen Declarations of 1955—recognised as a successful solution to the pending recognition of national minority rights on both sides of the border—contained no incentives towards cross‐border cooperation or how to overcome the division. Its consequences are essential for a discussion of Europeanisation, including setbacks following the Danish entry into the EEC in 1973, the Euroregion, the Schengen agreement, the construction of a wild boar fence to keep out the African Swine Fever, the reintroduced border controls and the COVID‐19 restrictions. Whereas the region remains a rather insignificant player compared to the role of the national governments, not least its development in later years shows a more pragmatic stance in the border region towards cross‐border contacts which can be seen as a sign of Europeanisation.