EU Commissioner Corina Crețu at Three Seas Initiative Summit in Bucharest

European Commission places high importance of efforts to bring Eastern and Western Europe closer and strongly appreciates the Three Seas Initiative summit, which has exactly the same goal, said European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Crețu, while attending the third edition of the Three Seas Initiative summit, that took place in Bucharest on 17-18 September.

“This initiative contributes to regional development, thus enhancing the EU-wide cohesion process, it can equally provide security and prosperity for Member States. We have talked about the gaps that unfortunately exist on our continent, not only between the East and West, but also on between areas of the same country. For example, if we look at the transport sector, traveling a certain distance in Central and Eastern Europe takes twice as much as the same distance in the western European states. That is why, on behalf of President Juncker, I want to thank all the participating Member States for their pro-active action and their determination to increase their economic development and connectivity, thereby enhancing European convergence. I would also like to thank the President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis, for holding the Presidency of the Three Seas Summit in Bucharest, Romania. European Commission supports the common goal of Heads of State and Government to identify common projects and support these projects in the field of energy, transport and digital technologies, we encourage transnational projects in these areas and there are structural and investment funds that I have the honor to manage in the current EU Executive.

We welcome the launch of the business forum on the margins of the summit, because only by bringing together small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs, start-ups and all stakeholders in the business ecosystem, the first edition will undoubtedly contribute to creating favorable conditions for starting some concrete actions.

European Commission sees this summit as a unique opportunity to reiterate the importance the European Union places for a high level of connectivity in Central and Eastern Europe, in terms of energy, transport or digital infrastructure. These networks are indeed an obvious prerequisite for citizens and business people to benefit fully from the free movement and the common market. They are essential for the strength and stability of the Union, in a global context that unfortunately has become increasingly volatile. The continuing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the increasingly obvious effects of climate change, trade disputes, refugee crisis and migrants' crisis have all had negative effects on Europe's economic and social balance. However, the European Union, our union, must remain robust and innovative, in order to cope with difficult trade negotiations, to stay ahead of the global competition in order to be independent and strong in the face of external shocks (...)”.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei