On 2 September 2021, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs, took part in the European Cybersecurity Forum hosted by the Kosciuszko Institute in the city of Krynica-Zdrój, Poland. The forum focused on discussions about the importance of the development of a sustainable and effective infrastructure in the Three Seas Initiative region. It was also underlined how vital it is to have a secure digital environment that covers various infrastructure sectors and enhances their functioning.
Andris Pelšs informed the audience about the Three Seas Initiative Summit and the Business Forum to be held in Latvia next summer. The State Secretary underlined the need for promoting the region’s economic growth and the development of projects that strengthen connectivity. Latvia as the next host of the Three Seas Initiative Summit will continue highlighting the importance of the digital pillar of the initiative thereby facilitating economic growth in the region and its geopolitical stability, the State secretary said. He added that, at the same time, the TSI platform promotes the development of a digital environment based on European values.
The participants were of the same mind that seeking to improve the region’s digital connectivity the priority should be given to secure and sustainable projects as well as to the mobilisation of adequate investments. The Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund facilitates the attraction of financial resources to infrastructure projects in the energy, transport and digital communication sectors. In a discussion, the State Secretary also underlined the importance of the involvement of the United States in the Investment Fund, while voicing support for the Blue Dot Network principles that are related to the transparency, sustainability and responsibility in carrying out international infrastructure projects.
Andris Pelšs emphasised that it was essential to engage closely with strategic partners – the USA, Germany and the European Commission – and the need to raise the profile of the Three Seas Initiative.
Background information
The Three Seas Initiative (TSI) launched in 2016 is a regional economic cooperation platform established with the aim of bridging the existing connectivity gaps in the energy, transport infrastructure and digital communication sectors, reinforcing EU-level cohesion and the transatlantic bond. Previous Three Seas Initiative Summits took place in Croatia (2016), Poland (2017), Romania (2018), Slovenia (2019) and Estonia (2020); the sixth TSI Summit is to take place in Bulgaria on 8–9 July 2021.
The TSI is comprised of the 12 EU countries that are located between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. TSI partners are the USA, Germany and the European Commission.
The Three Seas Initiative was established with the goal developing a strong regional economic backbone, and providing a strategic platform for the implementation of major infrastructure projects. On 16 September 2020, a Latvian state-owned development finance institution, ALTUM, officially joined the TSI Investment Fund. Countries that have joined the TSI Investment Fund are Poland, Romania, Estonia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Find additional information on the Three Seas Initiative at: http://www.3seas.eu