2018, September 17–18
In Bucharest, the focus turned to leveraging the economic potential of the 3SI region and expediting development to enhance economic convergence within the EU. The summit presented a concise list of priority interconnection projects in transportation, energy, and digital sectors to garner political backing for these initiatives. The establishment of the 3SI Network of Chambers of Commerce and the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund were significant developments aimed at supporting and funding priority projects and promoting regional cooperation and economic expansion. Furthermore, the Bucharest declaration highlighted the potential for broader international collaboration by inviting other interested stakeholders and partner states to engage in the 3SI projects. The active participation and support of strategic partners such as Germany and the European Commission were also recognized as crucial to the Initiative’s objectives. These partners were acknowledged for their potential to offer financial support, technical expertise, and political endorsement, which are essential for successfully realizing the 3SI projects.
Key decisions and effects of the summit:
- the three fundamental pillars and goals of the Three Seas Initiative are: strengthening economic development, increasing EU cohesion and enriching transatlantic ties;
- creation of a category of partner countries: USA and Germany and partner institutions: European Commission EU, EIB, EBRD, World Bank Group;
- presentation of the List of Priority Interconnection Projects;
- first edition of the Business Forum, 3SI Business Forum;
- signing a letter of intent regarding the establishment of the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund;
Summit participants:
Source: Agnieszka Orzelska-Stączek, Paweł Kowal, Inicjatywa Trójmorza. Geneza, cele i funkcjonowanie Wydawnictwo Instytutu Studiów Politycznych PAN, Warszawa 2019.
Source: D. Héjj, ‘The Three Seas Initiative in the Foreign Affairs Policy of Hungary’, Yearbook of the Institute of East-Central Europe, vol. 17 (2019), no. 3, pp. 116-135,
Photos from the Three Seas Initiative official website.
