Regulation of preferential territorial regimes in the EU countries

The article considers preferential economic regimes operating in the territory of the countries of the European Union and the UK. The research identifies the features of the spatial socio-economic development of European countries. The study reveals that the preferential regimes are not only the concept of proper legal regulation. We developed an integrated approach to the analysis of preferential regimes as an interconnected and meaningful unity of norms and rules for the purposeful development of economic activity associated with the historical path of the country's development. The paper demonstrates the influence of preferential regimes on the development of individual sectors of the economy. Based on the study of the European countries’ experience, the author concludes that the effectiveness of preferential economic regimes is evaluated very critically, and public authorities often implement formal and incomplete evaluation procedures. The results can be used for attracting new participants to special zones, improving the criteria for selecting territories, residents, and practices for the formation of management bodies for special territories for the development of national regulation. The author believes that certain elements in the experience of foreign European countries may be of significant interest for Russia.