Abstract
The paper highlights the cultural and legislative framework which favours the cross-border cooperation between the countries on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. It looks at the importance of geographical and socio-economic proximity and analyses the formation of the Adriatic-Ionian Euro-region. This context is useful for the development of those territories, considered marginal, which can renew their economies through cooperation. As a case study, what is analysed is the possible cross-border relations between the Italian region Molise and Montenegro. The two territories have several elements in common and can use cooperation as a means of renewing their economy. Furthermore, the crossborder cooperation is the right strategy to modernise the agricultural sector and strengthen the tourism. For this reason, the paper aims to highlight how the cooperation is the lens through which we can identify the territorial potential which, when amplified through comparison, will emerge more clearly.