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© Press Secretary of the Head of State
Bulgaria will propose that the Three Seas initiative take on another priority: educational and scientific connectivity, along with the already established areas of cooperation: energy, transport and digital connectivity. This was announced by President Rumen Radev in Estonia, where today he will participate in a summit of the countries of the “Three Seas” and will assume the presidency of the Bulgarian initiative next year.
“I think the initiative would benefit from a conceptual expansion and inclusion of educational and scientific connectivity as a priority, because we cannot think only in terms of laying pipes and asphalt. Not only is this the future. Yes, infrastructure is important , but if we want to have the economy of the future, we must invest in scientific and educational connectivity, in training and connectivity among our young research teams, organizations, universities, “said the Head of State. The idea is that the young people of the Member States seek a common future based on common research projects.
According to Radev, infrastructure should be a means to achieve the great goal: sustainable economic growth and a standard of living similar to that of developed European countries, “based on a green transition to a digital economy, and this is not just about asphalt and pipes “.
What does “Three Seas” finance
The Three Seas Initiative, launched five years ago, brings together 12 European countries between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas. The objective is through joint projects that promote cooperation in infrastructure, digital and energy connectivity, to achieve sustainability and economic growth. To date, Bulgarian institutions have proposed four projects for funding the initiative: restoration of railway design parameters. Ruse-Varna line, construction of a tunnel under the “Petrohan” pass, expansion of gas storage in the town of Chiren and construction of the “Black Sea” highway.
In the investment fund “Three Seas” Poland has a more serious contribution – 500 million euros, and for Bulgaria and other countries the minimum is 20 million euros. The Bulgarian head of state announced that the United States has committed to investing one billion dollars, provided that all countries contribute to the common investment fund. According to him, this is critically low compared to all infrastructure development projects, but funds have yet to be sought.
Bulgaria wants not to be on the periphery
Another priority that Rumen Radev announced that he would propose is to expand the geographical scope of the initiative to Greece and Cyprus. According to him, this gives Bulgaria a better position, because we are not interested in staying on the periphery, and infrastructure, energy and digital routes end at our border.
“That is why Greece and Cyprus are a natural continuation of this initiative, given what is happening on the border between Bulgaria and Greece; given the serious gas reserves that could involve Cyprus. I have already had talks recently with the leaders of these countries. and they would respond promptly to such an invitation, which I intend to extend to them, “said the president.
Regarding criticism that the United States is using the initiative to increase its influence in Europe, Radev commented: “And what do you see wrong with having the Black Sea highway, having a faster Via Carpathia highway, which actually happens? From Vidin to the Greek border, to build the tunnel under “Petrohan” with foreign funds? We all benefit from real diversification, to be able to choose energy providers at the best possible prices. “
At the start of the summit, Estonian President, who is currently chairing the initiative, Kersti Kalulaid, announced that countries should focus on so-called Smart Connectivity through technology to ensure that transport and energy connections work well. Polish President Andrzej Duda did not comment to the media.
