Levits joined President of Estonia Alar Karis and President of Poland Andrzej Duda for the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) panel discussion on development of modern infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe and regional security.
President Levits stressed the regional significance of 3SI, according to an account of the discussion published by the Presidential Chancellery.
"The main pillars of the Three Seas Initiative are unique. It is politically inspired and commercially driven initiative. It aims to attract private investment to our region. And we need to focus on both of these pillars," Levits said.
"Politically, 3SI has become even more important because of war in Ukraine. 3SI countries work closely together on collective security and assistance to Ukraine. Our region is not defined by our geographic location. Our region is based on shared understanding of commonalities. The importance of cooperation in specific sectors has increased since Russian invasion of Ukraine. For Europe, us and Ukraine.
"Most 3SI countries account for biggest share of support provided to Ukraine, also in total figures. Latvia’s support to Ukraine is at the same level as Germany’s, in total figures. This region is important for us, both politically and in terms of security," Levits said.
According to him, 12 member states of the Three Seas Initiative, which also belong to the European Union (EU), support fast-tracking of Ukraine’s application for EU membership.
The aim of the Three Seas Summit and Business Forum is to promote direct cooperation for implementation of 3SI transport, energy and digital networks projects.
More information about 3SI and the upcoming Rīga meeting is available at: https://3seas.eu/event/2022-summit-and-business-forum-in-riga