The Three Seas Initiative has been the most important platform for regional cooperation over the past nine years, President Andrzej Duda said at the Three Seas Initiative Business Forum in Vilnius.
Highlighting projects that facilitate the move away from Russian energy resources, Duda pointed to successful collaborations like the gas interconnector between Poland and Lithuania and the ongoing construction of the Rail Baltica railway, linking the Baltic countries with Poland and the rest of Europe.
“These infrastructure projects, including LNG terminals on the Baltic and Adriatic seas and the Via Carpatia and Rail Baltica routes, have contributed to the development and resilience of the EU’s economy,” Duda stated.
He also underscored the need for further infrastructure expansion to enhance the region’s resilience against threats such as Russia.
The Polish head of state also touched on the importance of transport infrastructure for military mobility, emphasizing the need for rapid troop deployment capabilities in the region.
On the future of the Three Seas Initiative and Ukraine’s potential membership, Duda noted Ukraine’s current role as a strategic partner and its path towards full membership contingent on joining the EU.
In turn, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda urged for more support to expedite Ukraine’s EU accession process, ideally by 2027, highlighting the necessity of preparing Three Seas infrastructure to integrate the Ukrainian market with the EU.
The Three Seas Initiative brings together Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Last year, Greece joined the Initiative with Moldova and Ukraine becoming associated countries. Japan is expected to become a strategic partner this year.
“These infrastructure projects, including LNG terminals on the Baltic and Adriatic seas and the Via Carpatia and Rail Baltica routes, have contributed to the development and resilience of the EU’s economy,” Duda stated.
He also underscored the need for further infrastructure expansion to enhance the region’s resilience against threats such as Russia.
The Polish head of state also touched on the importance of transport infrastructure for military mobility, emphasizing the need for rapid troop deployment capabilities in the region.
New members and partnersPresident @AndrzejDuda:💬I am especially glad to be here because Lithuania is a particularly reliable and close partner of Poland. Our partnership is key to the success of joint projects and events.
— Kancelaria Prezydenta (@prezydentpl) April 11, 2024
Together we have successfully implemented many infrastructure projects - like… https://t.co/0iZU5pep0G
On the future of the Three Seas Initiative and Ukraine’s potential membership, Duda noted Ukraine’s current role as a strategic partner and its path towards full membership contingent on joining the EU.
In turn, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda urged for more support to expedite Ukraine’s EU accession process, ideally by 2027, highlighting the necessity of preparing Three Seas infrastructure to integrate the Ukrainian market with the EU.
The Three Seas Initiative brings together Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Last year, Greece joined the Initiative with Moldova and Ukraine becoming associated countries. Japan is expected to become a strategic partner this year.
Source: PAP, X
More In Politics MORE...
