Embracing the culture of a neighbouring country often reveals similarities linked to a common history or a shared geography - which often facilitate cooperation. This calls for more than cross-border cooperation on a purely economic level - areas such as cultural and social cooperation, urban planning and protection of the environment can no longer be contemplated without taking into account what is happening in the neighbouring region.Learning a neighbouring language and culture implies a mutual respect and understanding of the 'Other'. This sometimes means leaving behind a troubled history of relations and overcoming prejudices often directed at neighbours and "foreigners" living amongst us.