On 6 March 2024, Alise Balode, Head of the Directorate for Economic Relations, Trade and Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the online meeting of the National Coordinators of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) organised by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparation for the 3SI Summit and Business Forum, to be held on 11 April in Vilnius, Lithuania. The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs confirmed participation in the 3SI Summit.
The Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simonas Šatūnas, informed the coordinators that the sixth 3SI Business Forum will be held alongside the 3SI Summit, inviting private and public sector representatives related to transport, energy and digital connectivity. The Business Forum in Vilnius will bring together representatives of 3JI countries, strategic partners – the USA, Germany and the European Commission – as well as other like-minded countries and international financial institutions in order to promote public-private cooperation in the development of connectivity projects, as well as in the strengthening of economic growth and resilience of the region.
Alise Balode highlighted the importance of discussions, promoted by geopolitical challenges, on the priorities of the 3SI – the development of connectivity in the region, the promotion of cohesion at EU level and the importance of strengthening cooperation with transatlantic partners.
“In the public-private sector, synergies play an important role in linking investment to infrastructure projects of regional importance. Promoting visibility of the 3SI internationally plays a key role in reflecting the 3SI region as an investment-safe, reliable and profitable environment,” Alise Balode said.
The 3SI Business Forum will feature discussions on the role of financial instruments in attracting investments for infrastructure projects, development of transport and digital infrastructure, the importance of strengthening the region’s cybersecurity, resilience in the energy sector, as well as the reconstruction of Ukraine.
At the 3SI National Coordinators’ meeting, the representatives of the countries stressed the importance of reinforcing the transatlantic link, cooperation with like-minded partners, the importance of sustainable connectivity with Ukraine and Moldova, and the Western Balkans, while emphasising the development of infrastructure projects with the Nordic countries.
For further information on the upcoming event and applying for participation in the 3SI Business Forum see the official website of 3SI at 3seas.eu.