Romania hosts summit to boost ties between 12 EU countries and partners
A two-day summit in Romania has started in the country's capital bringing together 12 European Union member states situated between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas
BUCHAREST, Romania — A two-day summit in Romania began on Wednesday bringing together 12 European Union member states situated between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas, as the grouping of mostly formerly communist countries aims to boost ties amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The Three Seas Initiative, which is being held in the capital, Bucharest, hosts high-ranking officials from EU countries as well as representatives from partner countries and aims to improve interconnectivity in the transportation, energy, and digital fields.
Before the event, the office of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said that during the summit, he would emphasize the importance of the initiative a year and a half after Russia’s “brutal and illegal aggression” against Ukraine for its importance in strengthening regional and European resilience.”
Addressing the initiative on Wednesday via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine’s Danube ports are “at the border of our three seas,” referring to a recent drone attack.
Romania’s defense minister, Angel Tilvar, said that apparently pieces of the drone have been found on his country's territory, a NATO member.
“What would have happened if it had succeeded as it did earlier in history in getting a foothold in Ukraine,” he asked. “February 24 changed everything, Europe, all of us, managed to prove that we are capable of historic acts of solidarity," adding that this summit is about unity.
Launched in 2016, the Three Seas Initiative includes Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland,
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