Ekaterina Zaharieva: The Three Seas Initiative will help the development of young people in the region
11 February 2021 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva, who is the national coordinator of the Three Seas Initiative, called for greater regional connectivity in science, technology, innovation, as well as between business and technology parks in the 12 participating countries.
"The biggest added value of the initiative is that it is open to the future and provides an opportunity for the development of young people, as well as will help convince them to stay and live in our region", Ekaterina Zaharieva said. She hosted a videoconference meeting of foreign ministers and national coordinators from the three seas member states, the first in this format under the Bulgarian presidency of the initiative in 2021.
The video conference was also attended by the Three Seas Initiative partners from USA, Germany and the EU. In a special video address to the participants in the event, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken wished success to the Bulgarian presidency and confirmed US support for the initiative. The meeting was also attended by the foreign ministers of Estonia, Eva-Maria Limetz, of Hungary, Peter Siarto and of Croatia, Gordan Grlich-Radman, who also expressed full support for the Three Seas Initiative.
"Bulgaria offers regional connectivity in the field of science, education, technology and innovation. The application of new technologies in digitalization, energy efficiency, the green economy, create new opportunities for smart connectivity between universities and research hubs", Ekaterina Zaharieva said. Among the Bulgarian proposals are the creation of digital platforms between the investment agencies of the countries in the Three Seas Initiative, business organizations, small and medium enterprises, technology parks, which would facilitate strategic investors in the region.
Our Foreign Minister stressed the importance of cooperation with the European Commission, the United States and Germany. She suggested greater flexibility in project selection, including strategic partners outside the Three Seas Initiative.
"An example of such flexibility would be the completion of the North-South corridor by connecting it to the Greek ports of the Aegean Sea. Another idea would be to connect the North-South corridor with Corridor No. 8", our Foreign Minister said. According to her, the Three Seas Initiative could be more open to co-operation with private business, as well as with strategic partners and countries outside the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership initiatives.
The discussion focused on the role of governments and state institutions in implementing the priority objectives of the Three Seas Initiative, as well as the preparations for the Sofia Summit later in the year. Our Foreign Minister emphasized the need for the governments and state institutions of the participating countries to play a more active role in the implementation of the initiative's projects, as well as for greater support for the investment fund, which Bulgaria has already joined with EUR 20 million.
Ekaterina Zaharieva also confirmed the priorities of the Bulgarian presidency, including energy security and diversification of energy sources and their supply routes, as well as increasing transport and digital connectivity between the countries.
The address of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkon to the participants in the meeting of foreign ministers and national coordinators from the member states of the Three Seas Initiative can be seen and heard here:
Secretary Blinken remarks on the Three Seas Initiative - February 17th, 2021 - YouTube and https://video.state.gov/detail/videos/top-stories/video/6232984921001/secretary-blinken-remarks-on-the-three-seas-initiative?autoStart=true
More photos
