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President Radev: The Three Seas Initiative Should Strengthen its Position as an Instrument for Real Social and Economic Cohesion in Europe

The Three Seas initiative should strengthen its position as an instrument for real social and economic cohesion in Europe. The spirit of this platform for cooperation is to promote the conditions for connectivity and prosperity in the countries located between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Sea. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with the ambassadors to Bulgaria of the 12 countries that take part in the Three Seas initiative and with representatives of the observer countries in the format. The meeting was also attended by Vice-president Iliana Iotova.

The Bulgarian Head of State noted that in order for the Three Seas to develop fully and efficiently, it is essential that all countries in the format should contribute to the initiative’s investment fund, which will provide funds for launching joint regional projects. “Taking part in the fund shows that the participants attach importance to the platform and is a positive sign to the business and investors in the region,” Rumen Radev said. In his words, clear and concrete criteria and rules for the priorities of the Three Seas format should be established.

The initiative is focused on the future of the region, therefore it is necessary to create conditions also for getting the young people committed to the initiative, hearing their voice and their ideas for the development of Europe, President Radev further said. The Head of State emphasized that without a scientific and educational connectivity between the European countries, it is impossible to achieve a sustainable social and economic cohesion.

The prospects for Bulgaria’s hosting the Three Seas platform next year were also discussed at the talks. The participants in the meeting highly praised Estonia, which in conditions of pandemic is host of the initiative this year.