Moldova, Ukraine gain benefits from Three Seas Initiative association
Moldova's association with the Three Seas Initiative will allow it to participate in more cross-border projects, helping it to develop economically, said Bucharest-based expert Robert Lupițu on the "Parallel 47" program on Radio Moldova.
On the other hand, political scientist Octavian Milevschi points out that the benefits of Moldova's association with this initiative within the European Union will only be tangible after the country's accession to European space.
Moldova and Ukraine, which became associate states of the Three Seas Initiative at the Bucharest Summit on September 6, could be part of more cross-border projects in important areas, such as energy or road infrastructure, said Mihai Mogâldea, deputy director of the Institute for European Policy and Reform.
“Both states will be able to benefit from as many cross-border projects as possible, perhaps developed jointly with the member states of the Three Seas Initiative, in the coming years, projects for the region of Eastern Europe, projects focused on the development of transport, energy development, digitization, but also cybersecurity. Cybersecurity has become one of the priorities of the Three Seas Initiative since this summit,” explained Mihai Mogâldea.
The granting of Moldova's status as an associate country to the Three Seas Initiative is another important step on the path to European integration and allows it to be included in major infrastructure development projects, attracting new investments, said Robert Lupițu, editor-in-chief of the caleaeuropeana.ro platform.
“In the areas of infrastructure, both road and rail and digital and energy, everything that means the concept of infrastructure, Moldova has a very good chance to connect to the West. Therefore, certain projects that Romania as a participating state can assume, can sponsor, can include Moldova, suggestions from Moldova can be taken into account,” said Robert Lupițu.
For his part, political scientist Octavian Milevschi, noted that the Three Seas Initiative only targets European Union countries. Thus, Moldova and Ukraine will benefit from the status of associate states when they become members of the European Union.
“Moldova and Ukraine are welcome as affiliated, observer states, but in the end, I see the benefits achieved within this initiative when Moldova and Ukraine will fully integrate into the European Union, that is, in about a decade, until 2030, 31, 32, whatever it will be,” said Octavian Milevschi.
The Three Seas Initiative is a political platform for EU member states from Central and Eastern Europe. It aims to stimulate cooperation in the region, accelerate the modernization of infrastructure, and consolidate energy independence. It currently has 13 member states, after Greece was accepted at the Bucharest Summit on September 6. Moldova and Ukraine have obtained the status of associate states of the Initiative.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
