On Thursday [11 April], President Gitanas Nausėda chaired the plenary session of the ninth summit of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) in Vilnius. In his address, the President stressed that the current geopolitical situation has given the Three Seas Initiative the impetus to grow as a platform for regional cooperation. The Head of State underlined the need to improve transport links, diversify energy sources, and build resilient infrastructure. Gitanas Nausėda added that it is also important to bridge the infrastructure gaps between the EU Member States and the associated countries Ukraine and Moldova.
The President stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine and the need to help it to defend itself against the aggressor by all means. “Today, the countries of the Three Seas Initiative reaffirm their support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Together, we stand ready to play an important role in the reconstruction of Ukraine and to help it to build back even stronger and more resilient,” the Head of State underlined.
President Gitanas Nausėda pointed out that during the International Transport Forum held ahead of the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Lithuania, new members were invited to join the Common Interest Group for Ukraine. It is expected that this will lead to more productive cooperation and engagement of partners in the field of transport.
According to the President, supporting Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and NATO continues to be a political priority. The Lithuanian leader stressed that the Three Seas Initiative could make a significant contribution to the practical aspects of the EU enlargement process, helping to prepare for smoother integration. “For the Three Seas region to be viable and growing, we need to offer practical solutions. Thanks to the Three Seas Initiative, we are putting greater emphasis on the region’s cyber resilience, the protection of critical infrastructure, and military mobility. Our ability to deliver results also relies on our productive work with our transatlantic partners,” the Lithuanian leader said.
Gitanas Nausėda highlighted that the Three Seas Initiative already brings together 13 states, 2 associated states, and 4 strategic partners. “I am pleased that the fourth strategic partner, Japan, has joined the initiative here in Vilnius. Its participation will contribute to the objectives of the Initiative and will strengthen the region’s connections to global supply chains and the Indo-Pacific region,” the President said.
The Three Seas Initiative Summit adopted a joint declaration. The text is available here.
More on the Three seas initiative: https://3seas.eu
Comment: The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is comprised of thirteen countries located between the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic seas – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Greece and Bulgaria. It was conceived as a transportation initiative, with no political or military implications. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine changed that. The 3SI went beyond being an infrastructure initiative by inviting Ukraine to become a member officially and becoming a partner-participant at the June 2022 3SI Summit. Moldova also became a partner-participant at that summit. Finland has expressed a desire to join.
The 3SI is still dedicated to infrastructure projects like gas pipelines from the Baltic to the Adriatic, north-south roads and rail lines and greatly expanded information infrastructure, but now those projects are openly assuming a militarily defensive nature. I doubt 3SI is aiming to replace NATO, but I do see it becoming the more strident side of NATO.
An interesting development is the recent inclusion of strategic partners, the US, Germany, the EC, and Japan. This could just be an interest in accessing deep pockets for 3SI infrastructure projects, but I also see it as a path to greater international politico-military influence. I just hope the 3SI doesn’t forsake its infrastructure roots.
TTG
Look at the lack of diversity on that stage. On a related progressive note, is anyone else in America tired of paying for European infrastructure? Did all these “fine people ” already run out of their own money?
Fred,
Well, there are three women and dwarf representing the Netanyahu version of NATO. That has to count for something, though I would say less than the $gazillions we are printing to keep them safe from Russia – and all the resulting inflation we have to suck up. I don’t get why they are sending in troops to assist the dwarf, who’s forces are beginning to lose badly. Guess it’s easier to lecture US Congress on how we are bad people if we don’t give more. And here I thought it was the zionists that are to be hated as masters of that game.
“is anyone else in America tired of paying for European infrastructure?”
Yes
Without Ukraine, geography seems to be against a north-south transportation corridor. There are the Eastern Alps, the Carpathian Mountains and the mishmash of mountain ranges in Bulgaria and Greece.
Nationalism is also against them. Will Polish farmers block routes bringing southern produce to the Balts? Or vice versa? Orban or the new guy in Slovakia can easily gum up the works.
And when winds of trouble blow west from the Kremlin the Suwalki Gap could be a weak link.
But I wish them well.
Turkiye has such a choke hold on the Black Sea. If left out of 3SI permanently, 3SI provides a mechanism for the day if/when NATO needs to turn against its current/former friend – just having some Geo fun.
cobo,
Turkiye had representatives at this 3SI summit. I could see them joining if only on an economic rationale.
That, it would seem, would be good news.
Yeah,
Competition with IMEC. Rabble rouse the Palestinian conflict to break up the Abraham Accords.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-erdogan-opposes-india-middle-east-corridor
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/Turkey-pushes-25bn-Iraq-transport-route-over-India-Europe-corridor
More recent news.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-iraq-push-reset-ties-cooperation-against-pkk-2024-04-22/
https://apnews.com/article/iraq-turkey-erdogan-pkk-water-oil-gas-29fa460c436e2e0fcbfe72a414c4340f
Whether it be the Swiss, Scottish Highlanders, Montagnards, Gurkhas, Chechens, Afghans, Eskimo Scouts, 19 SFG….. or Kurds, mountain people make the best warriors. Good luck with that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOrcgdsQ_uc
Once the borg takes out Russia it’s on to Turkey to clear the Bosporus and make trade for Eastern Europe cheaper. Great stuff.
Way off topic.
I’m tempted to offer a prize to the person with the best explanation of what those elks are doing there.
https://x.com/amazlngnature/status/1781533453256642908
F&L,
They obviously don’t give a hoot about any HOA restrictions there might be.
It’s in Estes, Colorado. I haven’t found an explanation other than in the comments at link below. Evidently they gather in very large numbers after snowstorms which cover their forage. One person claims to have seen similar with moose.
https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/s/XWmkxpfIKS
F&L,
Makes sense to me. One man’s manicured lawn is another ungulate’s forage.
F&L –
Pretty common out here. I had to chase a black bear off my deck Friday.
leith,
I am jealous.
I’ve been interested in this for a long time. Have you ever heard of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth? Well, it’s old-fashioned, not even historical, just an idle megalomaniac’s dream. Being Polish and striving for some kind of union of interests and achievements between states is an oxymoron.
But now they’ve become modern, and they’re really nice. 13 states and Europe as a model. The Polish-Lithuanian frog inflates its lungs to make itself as big as an ox. More, always more, when they can do less. Remember, the old Europe (Rome, 1957) balances their budgets through massive financial transfers.
But above all, if they take even a little bit of Brussels’ organizational practices, then this initiative will soon be dead.
The Europe of Brussels is run by unelected officials. It is an undemocratic mega-bureaucracy. It governs by standards and directives, the smallest of which are monstrously complicated. In this way, Brussels officials ensure their own survival, not that of the people.
Participants can opt for a simple, lean organization (one policy board, one office manager and one secretary), and their chances are better.
Good luck, though. Maybe you’ll be able to avoid the pitfalls. Let me just remind you that Russia has its own East-West counter-project, with great resources, military resources. Russian project started 2 years ago. The meeting point with this North-South axis initiative is somewhere around west of Odessa. Something to think about.
d74,
I wrote something related to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth back in 2015. It was more about the forerunner to the Commonwealth when Poland, Lithuania and others united against the Teutonic Knights.
https://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2015/11/the-lipka-tartars-ttg/comments/page/2/#comments
I would rather see the 3SI remain a union of states without the Brussels-like bureaucracy.
I read it. Very interesting. Thank you very much. I didn’t know the history of these Tartars. And it went on for a long time, which is even more remarkable.
It suggests something else to me, something to do with Eastern Europe-3SI. This is it:
A French intelligence chief said in 1939 (written in 1945) that you can’t trust anyone in this vast region (3SI) because borders and allegiances have been so fluid over the centuries. Everyone has fought everyone else. The loyalty of an individual from one of these interzones is not deeply rooted in his psyche. On the other hand, the interest in money is very high, which can lead to selling oneself to the highest bidder or betraying one’s first employer. Another trait is intellectual agility, which favors multilingualism. As an example of the versatility or instability of these people, he cited Colonel Beck, who had a very bad reputation in France. He was considered a traitor to Poland and the Entente. The French at that time felt that he was responsible for a not inconsiderable part of the outbreak of the Second World War. Diplomacy on the razor’s edge, sometimes pro-Entente, sometimes pro-German, and always anti-Bolshevik, required qualities he didn’t have. Interned in Romania after the Polish debacle, he died in 1944.
Of course, this is an exaggeration, even from a recruiter’s point of view. But some well-documented stories prove its accuracy without generalizing. By the way, the allies benefited the most, for example Tricyle-Dusko Popov.
Back to the present. Have your generous exhortations resulted in a small opening of the border? After 8 years it’s safe to say that they would have fallen on deaf ears.
I find it very worrying for the future of the Baltic States that the population is generally declining (stable in Estonia). Lack of patriotism or attachment to the country? I’m referring to what I said above. Suicide rates are also not a good sign.
3SI seems like a reasonable grouping of countries – basically Warsaw Pact + former (non-Russian) SSRs, poorer than Western Europe, sharing a deep-seated fear of Russia, so they have common economic and security concerns. Too bad this didn’t happen 30 years ago, instead of Eastward expansion of NATO.
Not sure how useful North-South transportation infrastructure would be, though; that would depend on complimentary (rather than common) resources and economic sectors.
I see plans for gas pipelines to move NatGas inland from (new?) Polish & Croatian LNG ports, but no plans to connect to Asian oil/gas (through Turkey or Black Sea). So, that part looks like a way to tie Eastern Europe to Texan LNG rather than Russian or Central Asian sources (which would be far cheaper but carries strategic/political risks).
Wouldn’t be surprised to learn eventually that 3SI is a US idea; but if that’s the case, it’s doomed (partisan politics, industrial decline, and social chaos mean we’re no longer capable of effective long-term Foreign Policy).
I wonder if the 3SI groups pipelines will start blowing up?
That’s great!
I’ll try it in the same spirit:
Of course not. Truth taken and proven: Only the Russians blow up their own pipeline.
This may also be the first sign that Western powers are responding to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has extended across Eurasia deep into the heart of Europe. From Xi Jinping’s launching of the BRI in October 2013 in Astana, China has spent over $1 trillion on infrastructure projects deepening trade links to Europe, Africa, Western Asia, and beyond. Efforts by G-7 countries to offer alternatives to Chinese investments have been almost non-existent for the past decade, but at recent G-7 meetings, the issue was raised and talk centered on offering alternative investments in infrastructure, which usually came with IMF type conditionalities and overly cautious assessments of their economic viability. Now, as TTG emphasizes, keeping the focus on productive infrastructure investment carries significant soft power and geoeconomic advantages. The world does not need a rival or alternative to NATO but does need some Western offers of infrastructure investment that do not give the Chinese the soft power advantage they have accrued over the past ten years of an open, unchallenged field. With the U.S., Japan and other external countries being brought in, there is reason to believe that this can finally offer an alternative source of capital for infrastructure. I just hope the conditions on the investments and loans are not onerous and filled with green demands, monetary reforms, and other burdens that will sabotage any intent to provide viable alternatives to China’s BRI, the expansion of the BRICS and other geoeconomic efforts to isolate the West from the rest. Germany and France have recently figured out that their trade relations with China are indispensable to their economic survival, so we saw Scholz bring a major business delegation to China and for Macron to invite Xi Jinping to France.
Harper
Given that history did not end and that the Russia, Iran & China alliance has now been upgraded to the New Axis of Evil (NAE) I suspect that Germany and France will soon learn that trade relations with China are very much dispensable – especially in certain high value sectors. The ‘encouragement’ Germany was given to stop buying Evil Gas™ from Russia tells you exactly how much choice Europe gets in its trade with the evil enemies of America. Like poor Joe’s uncle, Europe is being cannibalized and the tasty parts of its industry will increasingly be making their way across the Atlantic.
While Russia still stands the world will continue to bifurcate into 2 spheres of influence – the US-led West and the NAE-led BRICS+ alliance. The REPO for Ukraine Act is a good indication that the latter will ultimately get its own financial systems too. Globalism is dead, long live Hemiglobalism.
Won’t it be three, per 1984?
Memories are short. Low cost energy supply from the east was envisioned at the turn of the century and put into service in 2011. (Nordstream anyone?) This was at the same time outsourcing the middle class via shipping the European industrial base to China. Concurrent with that was the repeated proclamations of “over capacity ” in the automotive industry. Now we are seeing Vietnamese, Saudi Arabian, and Chinese automotive capacities proliferating. Thank goodness the European elites are such visionaries. Maybe they should resurrect the Mediterranean solar initiative that was going to transform southern Europe, and Libya- before NATO’S great victory there.
Yay, Infrastructure!
My only quibble with Harpers comment is that IMO we – Earthlings – really do need to build new energy and transportation systems which aren’t based on fossil fuels. I know this will start [another] rock fight here, but AGW is real and more carbon-centered infrastructure will make it worse, sooner.
But – like with so many other issues – US is politically incapable of useful action. Our campaign finance “laws” mean that US fossil fuel Corps can prevent any real changes which might “adversely impact” their profits. Even worse, Wall Street will prevent the US from doing any BRI-scale global infrastructure unless they get their cut – and they’ve grown accustomed to very big pieces of every pie.
Sadly, this is why I think it’s better for the USA to just leave Mackinder’s Island to the Chinese for now. We need to clean up the mess we’ve made here at home and stop going “abroad in search of monsters to destroy”.
“stop going “abroad in search of monsters to destroy”. ”
Amen to that!
elkern
I’d go further and suggest that monsters abroad, real or imagined, are an absolutely critical factor in distracting the citizenry while the various domestic monsters continue to destroy the country in every conceivable way. The enemy is inside the wire.
America is uniquely situated between two nice big, beautiful oceans and ought to be able to both survive and prosper as a post imperial power. Furthermore, IMO the American character was never suited to the business of running an empire – very much a positive thing. Empire was largely thrust upon a reluctant nation and consequently a small group of enthusiasts have been given a large degree of latitude in running it. Unfortunately, many of the enthusiasts’ enthusiasm is directed towards their pet projects with little regard for the welfare of the homeland.
One particular group of these enthusiasts seem to me very much like a historical re-enactment society. Lets’ call them the “Project for the New Athenian* Century”. This nerdy group appear to be determined to re-run the Peloponnesian War (with the US in the role of Athens of course) complete with all its tragic mistakes and miscalculations. When the pivot to China finally arrives we’ll know they’ve reached the Sicilian Expedition phase.
*Kagan Sr.’s specialism was Thucydides, after all
Unfortunately the unwinding of an empire is an even harder problem than running one. The British kind of managed it (with a little help from the colonials) but I don’t see a realistic prospect of isolationism taking off in the foreseeable future, despite Trump’s bluster in that direction.
Barbara Ann,
Another academic who never held a sword. Of course he was an expert. It’s like listening to Tom Luongo say how he plays strategy games he knows about strategy. One was at Yale though, so…..
Fred,
How people these days fight with swords? Not all academics are fools. I remember when Pat insulted Habakkuk for having not been in the military. David never again commented after that. I’ve missed his insights and hope he’s well.
I remember when Pat insulted Habakkuk for having not been in the military.
You may be a little exaggerating? Insulting? Anyway I missed that. You recall the topic, incidentially, optimax?
For a while David was present on Paul Robinson* blog, in hindsight I wonder if I was a bit rude at one point. Long time no see. But then Paul does not publish regularly, anymore.
I miss him too.
https://irrussianality.wordpress.com
Optimax,
What you say about academics is true, though in the case of the Kagan clan their policy proposals have been a disaster for all nations involved, even if lucrative to themselves.
Yes. AIPAC (or more generally, “the Israeli Lobby”) is another prime example of the problems created by our lax campaign finance “laws”. Theoretically, FARA is supposed to keep foreign “agents” from influencing our elections, but all it takes to circumvent that is more money (which is why I use those scare-quotes around the word “laws” – if a law isn’t enforced, is it really a “law”?)
Barbara Ann,
I’m reading Kagan’s book and find it quite interesting. Even more of a coincidence, I just read the part about Demosthenes’ night attack on Epipoplae where victory turned to defeat for the Athenians. An empire is hard to keep. It’s cost us more than we can afford to feed the insatiable apatite of the Borg.
optimax
Ha ha, no spoilers but you are about to get to the best part – at least it is in the original. HOTPW is truly an invaluable possession for all time, so many analogies with events in our world of today.
I’ve not read Kagan’s book. I was put off by a reviewer on Good Reads who says Kagan’s bias towards Athens leads to him dismissing Spartan victories as luck and other acts of vandalism over the original author’s innovative insistence on presenting a scrupulously unbiased record. Hope you enjoy it in any case.
optimax
I meant to say, I’d be interested in your view on Kagan’s book when you’ve finished it. I assume he covers the whole war, past where Thucydides is sadly cut short.
Barbara Ann,
It’ll take while because I’m also reading The Queen’s Gambit. Kagan thinks Nicias was a lousy general. Today’s equivalent would be if our CC Joe Biden invaded Russia.
Off topic …
If any of you are interested in the UAP issue,
Christopher Mellon has an exceedingly interesting statement, dated today, here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/christopherkmellon/p/another-signal-message
He provides screenshots of some exchanges with higher-ups concerning the issue,
including the assertion that an AF SES-2 (how many of them are there?) is, or was, the “gatekeeper” for some of the alleged programs.
His claims are more specific than what I have read in the past.
Either Mellon is making this up or being misled, or there is something exceedingly interesting going on.
KH,
Yesterday I watched Rogan’s talk with Carlson. They spent a lot of time talking about UAPs and Tucker mentioned Mellon. I would like to have heard more about Tucker’s ideas about the JFK assassination.
“Further, the government could hardly deny approval to release this information without to some degree confirming its sensitivity and legitimacy.”
ahhhh… “legitimacy” about what? I (which means just about anyone) could craft a few more prosaic alternatives to an Aliens! narrative. as ever, “extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof”, despite the desirability of overlords from distant worlds to show up & straighten things out for us.
“Klaatu barada nikto”
“It’s a cookbook!”
I am waiting for the return of the Hanseatic League – much better mix of talent and resources: US and Canada should scramble to join up.
Scandinavia, Germany, select Baltics, UK past and present and US. Much more compatible in both history, culture and productivity. Tap Iceland’s geothermal energy and we are all good to go.
Fred,
I agree with you about the Kagans and that is why I was hesitant to buy it. It looked interesting and I never heard anything about Donald Kagan and, since it was Goodwill, it was cheap. Goodwill is my favorite place to shop. Don’t find much there anymore, a few books, but I use to get Pendleton wool shirts for six bucks. The older wool is thicker and warmer than the in new shirts. How’s the Georgia woods?
optimax,
“Thriftbooks” is their online store. Sometimes they have some good stuff, depending upon your interests.
Leander,
I don’t remember the topic except that it was most likely about Ukraine.
Fred,
Thanks, will check it out.
Fred,
Thanks, checked out Thriftbooks, has good cheap books. Almost bought Ulzana’s Raid (dvd) but have to make sure I don’t have it already.
Leander, I don’t remember the exact topic.