Programm

Opening words by moderator Gideon Rachman, Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator at Financial Times.

In this session, presidents of Three Seas countries will be answering one common question regarding the importance of the Three Seas Initiative to every individual country.

In addition, there will be country-specific issues tackled, for example about what the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Sea regions can gain from the initiative and how the initiative strengthens Europe.

We have come a long way in five years, and the Three Seas Initiative is now bearing fruit: cooperation is not only taking place at the level of heads of state, but also at the governmental level; eight countries have already joined or are in the process of joining the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund (3SIIF) created last year; and Estonia has devised a vision of how to digitalise the region’s transport and energy infrastructure and to create a platform for economic growth driven by innovation.

How do we move forward? What are the key challenges facing the initiative in its fifth year? What does it seek to accomplish in the year ahead, and beyond?

Virtual press conference and welcoming the next host of the Three Seas Summit in 2021.

Considerably higher economic growth than the EU average and smart connectivity ambition backed by the political will of the Three Seas countries are creating a perfect moment for smart money to flow into the region.

The Three Seas Initiative has already inspired the birth of a new fund: the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund (3SIIF). This is a 'lighthouse' project for the region and will focus on energy, transport and digital infrastructure. The fund has already generated serious interest among institutional investors like the EIB and DFC.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for impactful cross-border projects? And how can we accomplish more in the near future despite the post-corona economic outlook?

The panel will be moderated by Urmas Reinsalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Opening statement by the moderator of this panel, Urmas Reinsalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund – operational basis, current status and fund’s activities and practical value.

Moderated live panel discussion with ministerial level representatives from countries that have shown considerable commitment to the 3SIIF: Poland, Romania, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Slovenia, Croatia and Estonia.

The discussion will be moderated by Urmas Reinsalu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

Fireside chat between U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach, and Undersecretary for Political Affairs of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Rein Tammsaar.

The Three Seas region is facing a series of interconnected challenges in relation to the expansion of digitalisation to improve the competitiveness of the region and reduce its carbon footprint.

The overall vision of Smart Connectivity is to expand digital components across key infrastructure, which will in turn support new business models and technologies, such as real-time economy management, a renewable friendly smart grid, smart logistics and traffic management. It is about making investments in energy and transport future-proof.

Estonia will be showcasing Smart Connectivity vision and the extensive digital experience it involves.

Short overview of the Smart Connectivity concept developed by Estonia as the main focus area of the Three Seas Virtual Summit and Web Forum.

The panel discussion will focus on the benefits of Smart Connectivity and how to implement it.