President Karis: We will help to reinforce Ukraine’s infrastructure and connections with Europe

Speaking at the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) summit in Vilnius today, President Alar Karis stressed the need to use every available option to assist Ukraine. "3SI aims to bring the countries on the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas together in a line from north to south," he said. "That is a market of more than 100 million people. Within the framework of the initiative we must also help to repair Ukraine's infrastructure and establish better road and rail connections between it and the rest of Europe."

The head of state urged all countries to join the IT coalition launched by Estonia and Luxembourg to support the creation of the secure ICT infrastructure Ukraine needs and to boost the country's cyber defence capabilities. "More than 10 countries have already joined, and I encourage all of the 3SI member states to do the same," he said. "So far we have raised 45 million euros for the infrastructure necessary for the development of Ukraine's capabilities, with the first shipment of equipment expected to be delivered shortly."

As an initiative, 3SI is designed to improve civilian infrastructure so as to boost national economies, support military mobility and promote the development of the transport, energy and digital sectors through greater regional connectivity. President Karis says the priorities for Estonia remain the completion of Rail Baltic by 2030 and the synchronisation of the country's electricity network with the Central European system. "Rail Baltic has become a geopolitical necessity for us," he remarked. "It is the most important transport corridor on the eastern flank of NATO, providing communication infrastructure along the full length of its route." He added that Estonia intends to join the Central European electricity system as soon as possible in order to achieve complete independence from Russian energy.

Addressing the achievement of climate goals and lower electricity prices, the head of state said that the rate at which renewable energy is being adopted must be accelerated and that the gas and electricity networks must be integrated and further developed. He noted that the Baltic Sea is thought to be capable of generating around 90 gigawatts of offshore wind energy. "To make the most of that potential we must join forces to build new connections, which I know is something we are already working towards," he said.

The member states of the 3SI adopted a declaration at the Vilnius summit underscoring the need to support both Ukraine and Moldova on their journey towards EU accession, reiterating their condemnation of Russia's war against Ukraine and its people and repeating their unwavering support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The declaration also states that the countries will further increase pressure on Russia, including by tightening sanctions and combatting Russia's evasion thereof.

3SI is a regional cooperation format bringing together 13 EU Member States between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas. Japan is attending the Vilnius summit for the first time as a strategic partner to the initiative. Also in attendance representing associate members are President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Prime Minister Dorin Recean of Moldova.

Companies from the digital, transport and energy fields from Estonia, Europe and around the world are taking part in the business forum being held in parallel with the summit, which is also being attended by financial institutions and international organisations interested in contributing to the development of the Three Seas region.