Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is set to host the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit and Business Forum on April 11th. This marks the first occasion Lithuania has presided over this significant event, which will bring together delegations from 24 countries, including 10 heads of state.
The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, will lead the 3SI plenary session. This session is expected to result in a joint declaration that will outline the Initiative’s priorities and guidelines. Concurrently, a business forum will encourage the business sector to engage in energy, transport, and digitalisation projects, with a particular focus on supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
The 3SI aims to enhance connectivity and cooperation among thirteen EU member states located between the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Greece. The initiative is supported by strategic partners from the USA, Germany, and the European Commission, and Japan is anticipated to become a new strategic partner.
This initiative seeks to accelerate development and improve the infrastructure connectivity in transport, energy, and digital sectors, especially along the North-South axis, to promote EU cohesion and strengthen relations between the EU and the USA. Ukraine and Moldova are also involved as associated states, highlighting the Initiative’s broader regional focus.
On the day preceding the summit, related events took place, including a high-level meeting on Baltic Sea Energy Security and a conference by the International Transport Forum focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction. These events align with Lithuania’s priorities within the 3SI and contribute to the broader dialogue on regional development and stability.
