The article analyses the strengthening of the competitiveness of countries based on crossborder cooperation through the prism of international trade indicators. Due to the increase in international competition, countries, especially small economies, are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their position in the global market and remain competitive if this position is pursued individually. It is therefore necessary to review competition strategies and reassess opportunities and competitive advantages, as well as to promote coopetition between border region companies at institutional level. The article presents a new approach to regional competitiveness, which is achieved not through the development of the competitive advantages of the regions of individual countries, but through their cooperation and thus achieving common benefits. This is particularly relevant for border regions, as their uniqueness allows them to exploit cross-border region cooperation, which can generate added value by utilising the potential of cooperating regions to complement each other and become a competitive hub for economic growth. Only a strategic partnership based on regional cooperation will promote cooperation between manufacturers in different regions and ensure the achievement of co-creation and international development goals. The article analyses the case of Lithuania and Latvia as an example of cross-border cooperation, as internationally these countries are often matched and treated as one region, but in fact they compete fiercely with each other for better positions in foreign markets. This also shows that Lithuania’s and Latvia’s foreign trade with the European Union (hereinafter - the EU) accounted for the largest share of their foreign trade. Secondary statistical data of the EU-28 Eurostat of 2010 - 2019 and Finger Kreinin, RCA, and Lafay indices were used for the study. After assessing the convergence of the Lithuanian and Latvian export structure according to the FKI index during the study and finding that the export structure of these countries is very similar, the relative comparative advantage of exports by individual product sectors was assessed on the basis of the RCA index and the comparative advantage on the basis of the LAFAY index. The study showed that both countries had comparative advantages in the same product groups. The identification of common points of contact has highlighted economic activities, the development of which could be given more attention through the cooperation between the countries, and which would ensure overall economic benefits. The article concludes with strategic recommendations and measures to promote cross-border cooperation and increase the region’s competitiveness. The article contributes to the regional economic subject literature, as the concept of cross-border region competitiveness is developed by promoting not the competition of individual regions, but their cooperation by discovering common similarities in economic development. The article presents methodological logic and empirical calculations that would allow policy makers to develop cooperation strategies with those border regions with which it is expedient to cooperate for greater economic benefits. Promoting regional development and reducing regional disparities not only between regions within the same country but also between different countries requires the patient and consistent work of governments, businesses and academia, as well as individual communities, to develop measures and initiatives to promote cross-border cooperation.

中文翻译：

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在国际贸易背景下加强立陶宛-拉脱维亚跨境合作

文章通过国际贸易指标的棱镜分析了基于跨境合作的国家竞争力的增强。由于国际竞争的加剧，国家，尤其是小型经济体，发现越来越难以保持其在全球市场的地位并保持竞争力，如果单独追求这一地位。因此，有必要重新审视竞争战略，重新评估机会和竞争优势，并在制度层面促进边境地区公司之间的合作竞争。文章提出了一种新的区域竞争力的方法，它不是通过发展单个国家的区域竞争优势来实现的，而是通过它们的合作，从而实现共同利益。这对边境地区来说尤其重要，因为它们的独特性使它们能够利用跨境地区合作，通过利用合作地区的潜力相互补充，成为经济增长的竞争中心，从而产生附加值。只有建立在区域合作基础上的战略伙伴关系，才能促进不同区域厂商之间的合作，确保实现共创和国际化发展目标。文章以立陶宛和拉脱维亚为例，以跨境合作为例进行分析，在国际上，这两个国家往往被匹配为一个区域，但实际上它们之间为了在国外市场上的更好地位展开了激烈的竞争。这也表明，立陶宛和拉脱维亚对欧盟（以下简称——欧盟）的对外贸易占其对外贸易的最大份额。本研究使用了 2010-2019 年 EU-28 欧盟统计局的二次统计数据和 Finger Kreinin、RCA 和 Lafay 指数。在研究过程中根据 FKI 指数评估立陶宛和拉脱维亚出口结构的趋同性，发现这两个国家的出口结构非常相似后，在 RCA 的基础上评估了各个产品部门的出口相对比较优势指数和比较优势基于 LAFAY 指数。研究表明，两国在同一产品组中具有比较优势。共同接触点的确定突出了经济活动，通过各国之间的合作，可以更加重视其发展，并确保整体经济效益。文章最后提出了促进跨境合作和提高地区竞争力的战略建议和措施。这篇文章对区域经济学科文献有所贡献，因为跨境区域竞争力的概念是通过发现经济发展中的共同点而不是促进单个区域的竞争，而是促进它们的合作而发展起来的。本文介绍了方法逻辑和经验计算，使政策制定者能够与那些为了更大的经济利益进行合作的边境地区制定合作战略。