site.btaThree Seas Initiative Has Big Potential for Region's Development, Participants in Presidential Panel of Business Forum of Sixth Summit of Initiative Concur

 Sofia, July 8 (BTA) - The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) has a big
potential for the development of the region, for the
connectivity, cooperation, and security, the participants in the
 Presidential Panel of a business forum within the Sixth Summit
of 3SI which started on Thursday in Sofia concurred.


President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, who is a partner
country of the Initiative, along with the United States and the
European Commission, said that Germany is looking forward to the
 strengthening of the cooperation. The German President said
that all countries are faced with the same major challenges of
boosting economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic,
accelerating the green and the digital transformation, and
pooling the efforts for maintaining an international order based
 on rules.

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid said that the 3SI is
tackling problems in transport, energy and digitalization.

Latvian President Egils Levits said that his country is ready to
 make its contribution to the Initiative. Levits stressed the
importance of involving the civil society.

Polish President Andrzej Duda noted the inclusion of new
instruments for the integration of the countries in the
Initiative, adding that a number of ambitious projects can be
expected in the coming years.

Slovenian President Borut Pahor expressed support for the
pro-active approach of the Initiative. Pahor noted the
importance of the Initiative's contribution in the growth of
entire Europe.

Czech Deputy Prime Ministers Karel Havlicek noted the need to
invest in innovations and in research and development. At the
same time, the energy sector needs to be transformed, he said,
adding that big opportunities exist for investing in
decarbornization.

Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia Veronika Remisova said that
the 3SI offers a unique opportunity for building relations
between the countries and stressed that this acquires particular
 importance in the pandemic.

Remisova welcomed the support for the Initiative on the part of
the United States, which she said is an expression of the
trans-Atlantic cooperation. She also described Germany's
presence as extremely important.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said that the
connectivity in the region will contribute for the economic
integration.

Austrian Deputy Foreign Minister Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal noted
 the role of the Initiative in strengthening the connectivity
and said that no one will be left to feel abandoned.

In a video address to the panel Lithuanian President Gitanas
Nauseda congratulated the participants and wished them
productive discussions. NV/ZH