The approach of regional competitiveness starts from the presentation of general notions and concepts in order to identify and correctly capture the specific features of regional competitiveness and its determinants. 

The study is based on the critical observations that the competitive market forces alone are not able to assure the convergence with the developed countries. 

This paper is highlighting the different approaches on regional development from the point of view of economic growth theories and European integration effects, analysing the contribution of the European Union cohesion policy to the economic growth of the cohesion countries and to reducing the...