The two-day summit in Bucharest, Romania, known as the Three Seas Initiative, convened 12 European Union member states spanning the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas. The gathering, focused on strengthening ties amidst Russia's conflict in Ukraine, aims to enhance interconnectivity in transportation, energy, and digital sectors.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis emphasised the initiative's significance in bolstering regional and European resilience following Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Romania's defence minister mentioned the discovery of drone fragments on NATO territory, highlighting the potential consequences if Ukraine had been further destabilised. The initiative states on its website that it 'was born out of a shared interest in developing transport, energy and digital infrastructure connections on the EU's north-south axis.'

Why does it matter?

The Three Seas Initiative, established in 2016, includes countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and others. It serves as a platform for joint projects, particularly in energy security, fostering regional resilience, and strengthening relations with neighbouring countries. During the summit, Greece is set to become the 13th participating state, while Ukraine and Moldova will gain associate participating status. Moldovan President Maia Sandu expressed readiness to contribute to Europe's connectivity and unity.