Iohannis: The Three Seas Initiative has matured; conditions are met for concrete projects

In a speech at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on Monday, President Klaus Iohannis said that the Three Seas Initiative has matured politically and conceptually and that all conditions are met to start concrete projects.

"Romania has committed itself to preparing this summit and its business forum firmly determined to achieve clear results, so we have collaborated with the participating states and other close partners to ensure that this initiative is pragmatic and that we are focusing on achieving actual results. We can now safely say that the Three Seas Initiative has matured politically and conceptually and that all conditions are met to start concrete projects (...) While preparing for the next great challenge, the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2019, I am committed to actively contribute to the development of the Three Seas Initiative and the implementation of interconnectivity projects that can mean a lot to our countries and the prosperity and security of the European Union," the president told a gala dinner organised for Three Seas Initiative Summit.

According to the speech posted on the website of the Presidential Administration, Iohannis emphasised that organising the summit in Bucharest this year and the first edition of the Three Seas Initiative Business Forum, as well as the efforts made with the other participants to crystallize the objectives reflect the importance of regional co-operation.

"We are fully convinced that the initiative has the potential to facilitate greater connectivity in Central and South-Eastern Europe, to enhance economic and trade relations and investment flows in the region and with other Euro-Atlantic community partners. Consequently, we are advocating the contribution of this initiative to the overall consolidation of the European Union and to the transatlantic relationship," he said.

Iohannis welcomed the presence of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, showing that the implementation of projects agreed upon by the participating states would support EU efforts to develop and modernise infrastructure across the continent.

He also appreciated the participation in the summit of US government representatives Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ian Steff and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. The president stressed that US involvement is essential to the success of the initiative, and also that high level participation reflects the substantial level reached by the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States.

"As I pointed out during my meeting with President Trump at the White House last year, deepening and expanding the strategic partnership with the US in all areas is a priority for Romania and for me. It is also my firm conviction that the transatlantic link is vital because it is the backbone of Western civilization," he said.

Iohannis pointed out that since the Bucharest summit, Germany has also become a partner country of the initiative.

"We are convinced that Germany's involvement will increase the capacity of the initiative to reach our common goal of increasing connectivity and, consequently, economic development and economic growth in the region, to the benefit of all participating states and the entire European Union," he added.

The president also welcomed the participation of representatives of European and international financial institutions, as well as of Western Balkan states and eastern neighbours.

"I am confident that, as it develops further, the Three Seas Initiative can surpass current limits and bring substantial economic benefits to our neighbours. Increased co-operation in concrete interconnectivity projects among our countries will serve as evidence that, unlike other options, the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective is the only one that can ensure prosperity, sustainable development and stability in these regions," he said.

Iohannis also pointed out that the summit is taking place in Bucharest in the year when Romania marks the centennial of its Greater Union.

"Honouring the past, the anniversary of these a hundred years gives us the great opportunity to look to the future. Romania is now a mature country with a modern society full of dynamism, creativity, profoundly pro-European and pro-transatlantic (...) In an increasingly more complex global context, Romania maintains its commitment to the three pillars defining its foreign policy: strengthening its role and efforts within the EU and NATO as well as strengthening and expanding the strategic partnership with the US. These are rounded up by an active role in promoting regional security, and economic development," he said. AGERPRES (RO - author: Irinela Visan, editor: Antonia Nita; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Adina Panaitescu)