Ukraine becomes a partner-member of Three Seas Initiative

On June 20, 2022, the H.E. President of Latvia Egils Levits hosted the presidents and high-ranking officials of the Three Seas Initiative’s (3SI) member states, as well as representatives of the Initiative’s strategic partners, namely the United States, Germany and the European Commission, to discuss current priorities and plans in the closed meeting.
During the press conference which followed a closed session of the 3SI Summit, it was emphasized that the key issues on the Summit’s agenda are the potential for further development of the Initiative, as well as the strategic role of the 3SI region providing support to Ukraine, both during the war but also considering Ukraine’s recovery perspectives. During the Summit, issues of closer involvement of the Initiative’s strategic partners, building cooperation between the 3SI member states, openness for cooperation with like-minded regional and global partners, including participation of the United Kingdom and Japan in the Initiative, as well as cooperation between the governments, and prospects to strengthening the Initiative’s priorities were discussed.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, attended the Summit online and provided a video speech, noting the role of the 3SI in supporting Ukraine and confirming Ukraine’s interest in becoming an active member of the Three Seas Initiative.
“One of the key issues on the Summit’s agenda was Ukraine’s involvement in the Initiative. The Member States unanimously supported Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty and freedom. Ukraine is a democracy that is currently fighting for the values ​​of our region. Europe without Ukraine is not complete. That is why today we discussed ways to bring Ukraine closer to the European Union. With this 3SI Summit and Business Forum, we are starting close cooperation with Ukraine within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative,” emphasized the President of Latvia Egils Levits.
The President of Latvia also announced the Declaration of the Presidents of the 3SI countries, which was adopted in 2022 during a closed session. This year’s declaration expresses its unwavering support for Ukraine and its readiness for closer cooperation with Ukraine within the framework of the Three Seas Initiative. It also addresses the Initiative’s potential to foster the development of infrastructure projects not only in the region but also with the region’s neighbors, thus strengthening EU-led strategies as well as expanding opportunities for transatlantic cooperation. The declaration also emphasizes the importance of developing cooperation in the field of cyber security, emphasizing the region’s potential for the development of sustainable projects in the energy, transport, and digital sectors. The document expresses support for the 3SI economic dimension - the 3SI Investment Fund and encourages countries, private investors, and financial institutions to invest in projects that are significant for the development of the region with a commercial return. The 3SI Member States also welcomed the US announcement of a significant financial contribution to the 3SI Investment Fund.
Taken from the Three Seas Initiative web-site