State Secretary for European Affairs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić participated in the second conference of foreign ministers of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) member states.
Following the cancellation of the 5th 3SI Summit and the 3rd Business Forum, scheduled for 19 and 20 October 2020 in Tallinn, the foreign ministers of 3SI and partner countries met to discuss the increasingly important role of governments in this initiative.
Metelko-Zgombić underscored that a prosperous and resilient Central Europe was a crucial link for a stronger EU. She said that the Croatian Government continued to follow the path set forth by the 2016 Dubrovnik Declaration and reiterated Croatia’s commitment to 3SI goals. Intergovernmental cooperation represents a natural progression of the Initiative and offers sustainable and concrete proposals for the further economic growth of the entire Central European area. Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will serve as the hub for executive government coordination in the sectors of energy, transport and digitalization, said Metelko-Zgombić.
The ministers agreed that a stronger governmental inclusion strengthened the synergy of different cross-border cooperation frameworks, ensured political support and resolute action in concrete cross-border projects on energy, transport and digital communications, and contributed to the economy of Central Europe. Furthermore, it allows for improved realization of strategic projects of all the countries involved, as well as the EU and the transatlantic community.