Integration to EU International cooperation is a strategic area of activity for the University today. It is directed at integration of the University into European and the world community, it encourages international partnerships, and provides opportunities for obtaining non-budget funds from international foundations, programs and initiatives in the sphere of education. It encourages integration of the University into European and the world educational community; it promotes development of partnerships with other universities worldwide; it opens investment opportunities via international funds, grantmaking and various educational initiatives. Kharkiv National University of Economics continuously supports cross-cultural exchanges and connections with a number of universities and educational organizations abroad. 2008 — KhNUE became an official member of Association of Economic Universities of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea Region. The Association provides opportunities to-- participate in European conferences;- publish articles in the leading magazines of economics. 2009 — KhNUE was accepted as a member of European Universities Association (EUA). The Association-- represents and supports higher educational establishments in 35 countries of the world,- provides opportunity to carry out joint scientific  researches and follow up new tendencies in the higher education system. 2009 — With support of the Embassy of France in Ukraine, KhNUE was accepted as a member of Association of French-speaking universities. The Association-- provides new opportunities and perspectives to develop international cooperation, to attend internships and training courses at European universities for teachers, to provide scholarships for students, and to participate in international conferences.  With the purpose of strengthening connections with international organizations and universities overseas, a Center of Innovative Knowledge of the World Bank in Ukraine continues its work. The center offers 338 books in sociology, world population growth, ecology, economics, statistics, finance, international economics, city communications and housing industry, trade, business, entrepreneurship, labor market. On March 11, 2010, on the basis of the Center, Mr. Martin Raiser the Director of the World Bank Support for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, held a videoconference titled “Ukraine in 2010: Ways and Scenarios of Overcoming Economic Crisis”. Another videoconference called “Energy Effectiveness — New Resource for Life Growth” was held by the Center recently. In 2009, a new informational center was opened in the library building of the University. The European Union Information Center was founded with participation of the EU Ambassador in Ukraine Mr. Jose Manuel Pinto Teixseira and representatives of Kharkiv Regional State Administration and Kharkiv City Council. During the work of the meeting, a dozen of events devoted to various aspects of Eurointegration were held. The center acquired 48 books in ecology, energetic, statistics, international economics, the world economy, human rights, and general science.