Three Seas Initiative: Croatia at the forefront of strengthening European security and resilience

Zagreb hosted the parliamentary summit of the Three Seas Initiative. In the atmosphere of the war in the Middle East, the consequences of which are felt by the whole world, the speakers and deputy speakers of the parliaments of 13 member states of the Initiative gathered at the National and University Library.

Ahead of the summit, Jandroković with the leaders of parliaments

Ahead of the summit, the Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković held bilateral meetings with the parliamentary leaders of Romania, Albania, Slovakia and Turkey.

The summit officially began with a welcome dinner, at which the Parliament Speaker said that in the current situation, we need to build resilience, cohesion and energy security, for which trust between countries is the most important thing.

Zagreb brings together parliamentary leaders and European officials

HRT journalist Gordan Žvanović reported from the National University Library. He said that this is the second largest international event organized by Croatian Parliament.

He also pointed out that the arrival of nine parliament speakers and six deputy speakers has been confirmed. The president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, the vice-president of the European Parliament, and the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, also came.

This year, Croatia chairs the Three Seas Initiative, which seeks to economically connect the Adriatic, Baltic, and Black Sea regions by strengthening infrastructure connectivity. The co-founders of the Initiative, launched in 2015, are Slovenia and Croatia, and it includes 13 countries from Central Europe, as well as associated and strategic partners such as Germany, the USA, Japan, and Turkey.

The initiative gained greater importance and visibility with the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the decision of the European Union to achieve energy independence. Namely, energy is one of the key areas that the Initiative deals with, as well as strengthening transport connectivity, digitalization and defense, which are all strategic priorities.

Jandroković opened the Three Seas Initiative summit

The participants were addressed by the Croatian Parliament Speaker, Gordan Jandroković, on behalf of the Croatian Parliament and on his own behalf.

“Welcome to the country where Central Europe meets the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe. Welcome to the Parliamentary Summit of the Three Seas Initiative,” said Jandroković.

He pointed out that the idea for this political and economic platform was launched in 2015 and that today it brings together 13 participating countries, 4 associated countries and 6 strategic partners.

“Today, in a time of geopolitical turbulence, the Initiative is proving to be not an abstract framework, but a practical response to global turmoil, providing a very concrete strategic instrument for cooperation in building connectivity,” said Jandroković.

“Croatia has positioned itself as an exceptionally practical entry point for Central and Central Eastern Europe,” he continued, citing its infrastructure such as the LNG terminal on Krk, the expanded Port of Rijeka, and an excellent motorway network.

The Parliament Speaker announced that significant investments in the railway network are to follow, which will bring Croatia even closer to the members of the Initiative.

Plenković: 3SI has become the axis of European resilience

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković greeted all participants in the plenary session of the parliamentary meeting of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI).

“It is a great honor to host this summit, which comes at an important moment, not only for the 3SI, but also for the global context in which we find ourselves. The 3SI is entering its second decade of existence in quite changed global circumstances. Today it is clearer than ever that the 3SI is not just a development project, but a strategic framework for strengthening resilience,” he said.

“What began as a response to infrastructure gaps on the North-South axis has evolved into a platform that plays a key role in European connectivity, security and competitiveness,” he said.

He stressed that Europe is facing major strategic changes.

“Today, in the shadow of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the axis of resilience stretches from the Baltics, across the Adriatic, to the Black Sea. This region is no longer a European periphery but the backbone of European security and the engine of European growth,” he added.

Summit concludes with joint statement and messages of support

The summit concluded with the presentation and adoption of a Joint Statement of the Speakers of Parliaments and High Representatives of the participating countries of the Three Seas Initiative. The document confirms the common commitment to strengthening connectivity, resilience and cooperation in the Three Seas region, while supporting transatlantic relations and the European Union's enlargement policy.

The participants strongly condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine and reiterated their unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

The Joint Statement also calls for further strengthening of parliamentary cooperation through regular high-level meetings, stronger coordination between national parliaments, and a more intensive involvement of relevant stakeholders, including the private sector.

The Parliamentary Summit was officially closed by the Croatian Parliament Speaker, who declared the Joint Statement adopted and welcomed the support of the associated participating and partner states. He also wished Slovakia success in assuming the chairmanship of the Three Seas Initiative after the Dubrovnik Summit in April 2026.

Source: HRT