Virtual Three Seas Summit focuses on investments, connectivity, economic growth
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E-mail Xinhua, October 20, 2020
TALLINN, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The virtual summit of the Three Seas Initiative held on Monday focused on the future of Central and Eastern Europe, new investment opportunities and the smart connectivity concept to ensure that the region continues to drive Europe's economic growth.
The Three Seas initiative brings together 12 European Union (EU) member states situated between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas. They are Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid, the summit, carried online live by Estonian Public Broadcasting, can give new impetus to the development of transport and energy infrastructure in the Three Seas region, help close the investment gap for the region and allow the 12 member states to present the region as the fastest growing in Europe.
Polish President Andrzej Duda said that the initiative enables its member states to "jointly work out a plan for boosting the region's economy which is crucial in the challenging COVID-19 times." He stressed the importance of regional cross-border cooperation and economic growth along the north-south axis of the EU.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev emphasized the principle of "implement first" for investment and cooperation projects.
In a joint statement, the presidents and high-level representatives of the 12 EU countries acknowledged that the global COVID-19 pandemic has had a growing global economic and financial impact, which highlights the importance of regional economic ties and well-developed cross-border infrastructure, and increases the relevance and role of the Three Seas Initiative, including in stimulating economic recovery after the pandemic.
The virtual summit's participants also included U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and several business leaders, said a press release from the Estonian presidential office.
Bulgaria is scheduled to host the next Three Seas Summit and Business Forum in 2021. Enditem
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