President Pahor emphasises the importance of sustainable development at the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Sofia

At the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is attending the sixth summit of the Three Seas Initiative, which is taking place in Bulgaria this time.

Today, President Pahor attended the official opening of the Presidential Summit of the Three Seas Initiative and participated in a Presidents’ Panel entitled: “Тhree Seas Initiative: A path to stronger, united and competitive Europe”.

In the discussion, the President of Slovenia recalled that since its establishment, the initiative has grown into a flexible platform for promoting development in the countries between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas.

President Pahor assessed that an initiative can only be successful if it acts in accordance with the goals, priorities and policies of the European Union, and added that it is always necessary to pursue a strategic goal – sustainable development. This goal, he said, was confirmed by the presidents at the Ljubljana summit of the initiative two years ago.

Following the plenary session, the presidents adopted a joint declaration.

President Pahor held several bilateral talks on the margins of the Three Seas Initiative.


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Below is the text of the address by President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor (Check against delivery!)

Dear President Radev,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to meet again in the format of the Three Seas Initiative.

Since its establishment, the Three Seas Initiative is developing fast towards reaching its aim – that is, the improvement of interconnectivity of the 12 EU Member States - among themselves, and with the rest of the EU.

I can openly say that the initiative has grown into a flexible platform for boosting of development of the countries located between Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas.

Thus, the initiative shall contribute to EU cohesion, its stability and prosperity. It shall also strengthen our transatlantic ties.

For the initiative, it is important to stay open to cooperation with partners - that is why I warmly welcome President Steinmeier, Commissioner Verstagger, and address of President Biden and State Secretary Blinken. I also support the interest of Greece for closer cooperation and welcome President Sakellaropoulou.

3SI initiative can be successful if it is in line with the goals, priorities and policies of the EU. At the same time, we must avoid duplication and seek synergies with existing EU initiatives for cooperation with the countries of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We shall always keep in mind our strategic goal – sustainable development. We have reaffirmed this goal at the Ljubljana summit, and on other occasions.

COVID-19 pandemic has exposed all our vulnerability to the nature, and further underlined the importance of green and digital transitions toward sustainable development.

That is why I warmly welcome the emphasis of the Declaration (that we shall adopt later today), on full support of Paris Agreement, and European Green Deal. We need to invest all our effort to green and digital recovery.

Dear Presidents,

A week ago, Slovenia has taken over the Presidency of the EU.

I am sure that the European Union will under Slovenian Presidency make important steps forward in all areas of our common priorities.

Thank you.


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA