(IPA) replaced several financial instruments and EU programmes (PHARE, PHARE CBC, ISPA, SAPARD, CARDS and the financial instrument for Turkey) aimed at providing assistance for the EU accession of candidate countries or potential candidate countries. In this stance, the research focuses on relating the IPA main strategic policy goals to the attainment of the ultimate EU policy goal of achieving a more balanced and cohesive EU territory. Drawing on IPA and EU Cohesion Policy literature, as well as on the concepts of territorial cohesion, territorial cooperation, and territorial development, the relation between the IPA strategies and investments is conceptualized to comprise territorial and thematic (social, economic, governance, environment, cooperation, and planning) dimensions. The empirical analysis employs a comparative case study methodology analysing the IPA implementation in the candidate countries, mostly based on desk research and statistical analysis.

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• Social and Economic Geography - Social Sciences