Tomorrow, President Karis will address the Business Forum of the Three Seas Summit Initiative and focus on the importance of cooperation on infrastructure projects and energy security. The Head of State will also point out that secure cross-border digital services, joint research and development initiatives and the deployment of artificial intelligence support the region’s competitiveness and economic growth.
During the plenary session in the afternoon, the President of the Republic will speak about the adaptation of infrastructure in the changing geopolitical situation, which includes the synchronisation of electricity grids and the development of Rail Baltica into the most important transport corridor of NATO’s eastern flank. President Karis will also talk about helping Ukraine to re-establish connections with the European Union and the importance of strong transatlantic ties in building resilience in the region.
In Warsaw, the Estonian Head of State will meet with the Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, and the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović to discuss the development of bilateral relations, the general security situation in the region, defence spending, and the continuation of the enlargement of the European Union.
The wife of the President of the Republic, Sirje Karis, will take part in the programme for the spouses of the heads of state, which includes attending the concert of the holders of the Polish Children’s Fund scholarships at Belweder Palace and visiting the Museum of King John III’s Palace.
The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is a regional cooperation format bringing together the countries located between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas. At first, the Initiative included 12 European Union Member States: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Greece joined the group in 2023 and the initiative now has 13 participating countries and two associate participants – Ukraine and Moldova. The strategic partners to the 3SI are the United States, Japan, the European Commission and Germany. Spain and Turkey will join as new strategic partners and Albania and Montenegro as new regional partners.
The 3SI Investment Fund with a total volume of €928 million was established in 2019 in order to accelerate investments in infrastructure projects in the region. A new fund is being planned for the next 15 years.
Gallery: Raigo Pajula/Office of the President of the Republic (will be added during the visit) https://www.flickr.com/photos/presidendikantselei/albums
