European union's regions between cohesion and sustainability

摘要

The paper achieves an atypical approach to EU regional cohesion in terms of the sustainability objectives set in 2030 Agenda. The analysis focuses on 5 characteristic goals and 14 specific indicators during 2006-2020. The paper develops a cluster approach in identifying NUTS2 sustainable regional development. The proposed model in this paper represents an element of novelty in the field of sustainability assessment through its descriptive and correlative characteristics by which the NUTS2 classification can be associated unitarily with sustainable development clusters. The article stands out for its innovative character. It has an European impact by identifying five European development clusters and quantifying sustainability indicators in terms of the 2030 Agenda on the level of the made acquisitions and the efficiency of their implementation through the proposed regional sustainable development model. he whole analysis and the conclusions are supported by the latest official statistical data, pertinent tables and diagrams.