European Union Unites Against Russian Aggression at Three Seas Initiative Summit
A summit in Romania has brought together 12 EU member states for the Three Seas Initiative, aiming to enhance transportation, energy, and digital connectivity while addressing regional resilience in the face of Russia's aggression. Greece, Ukraine, and Moldova are set to join as participating states.
A two-day summit in Romania has brought together 12 European Union member states in an effort to boost ties and improve interconnectivity in the transportation, energy, and digital fields. The Three Seas Initiative, hosted in Bucharest, aims to strengthen regional and European resilience, particularly in light of Russia's war in Ukraine. The summit, attended by high-ranking officials from EU countries as well as representatives from partner countries, emphasizes the importance of the initiative in the face of Russia's aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted recent attacks on Ukraine's Danube ports, stating that they are close to the border of the three seas. Romania's defense minister, Angel Tilvar, revealed that parts of a drone used in the attacks were found on Romanian territory. Launched in 2016, the Three Seas Initiative includes Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Austria, Estonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, and Lithuania. The initiative aims to strengthen regional resilience and promote relations between Moldova and Ukraine with the EU bloc.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu, whose country has been severely impacted by the war in Ukraine, expressed readiness to contribute to Europe's connectivity and unity. During the summit, Greece will sign a joint accord to become the 13th participating state of the initiative, while Ukraine and Moldova will be granted the status of associate participating states. Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu had productive discussions with the US assistant secretary of state for energy resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, about joint projects to enhance regional energy security.
The Three Seas Initiative seeks to develop transport, energy, and digital infrastructure connections on the EU's north-south axis. The summit will also include a news conference with the presidents of Poland and Lithuania, Croatia's prime minister, and an annual business forum. The presence of the US government's climate envoy, John Kerry, further emphasizes the importance and international support for the initiative.
