Taking part in the summit are the leaders of the Baltic States, Poland, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Croatia along with the European Commission President, German Foreign Minister, US Secretary of Energy, and representatives from the European Investment Bank and the European Reconstruction and Development Bank.
The listed priority projects include the synchronization of the Baltic electricity grids with continental Europe, Gas Interconnection Poland-Lithuania (GIPL), Via Baltica, Rail Baltica, and the Viking container train – all of which are key to Lithuania and the whole region. The list provides Lithuania with an additional opportunity to secure the support of neighboring and other European countries, and encourages cooperation between governmental, business and financial institutions in implementing these projects.
According to the President, the more interconnections across Europe, the less fragmented and more secure we all are. Modern energy, transport and digital links not only accelerate European integration and regional growth, but are also vital for ensuring the security of member states.
The summit placed special focus on the development of energy – electricity and gas – interconnections. The President underlined that building infrastructure connections in Lithuania and across the region would help to expand the diversification of energy supplies and routes as well as to develop regional energy markets. It also means a stronger EU energy union and increased resilience to external energy pressures.
The President said that it was necessary to fill the remaining gaps in Europe's transport infrastructure. Well-developed roads and railways are needed for the free movement of persons and goods. But most importantly they are essential for military mobility. Better defensibility requires investing in transport infrastructure and adjusting it to NATO standards so that allied reinforcements can arrive as soon as possible.
Leaders also discussed the development of digital interconnectivity. Lithuania and the Baltic region with its highly developed digital infrastructure offer a model example of innovative solutions and e-services. However, digital speed in Europe must go hand in hand with cyber security. On Lithuania’s initiative, the creation of EU cyber rapid response force is under way. Nine member states, including Poland, Estonia, Romania, and Croatia from the Three Seas Initiative have already joined the team.
The first edition of the Business Forum of the Three Seas Initiative held in Bucharest has gathered 600 business people from other EU countries, the United States, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Turkey. Taking part in the forum are representatives from the Lithuanian chemical, textile and wood industries.
