The Three Seas Initiative (3SI): Lithuania's Priorities in the Context of the Vilnius and Warsaw Summits

Abstract

In April 2024, Lithuania hosted the 9th Summit of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), marking a milestone in the country’s regional engagement. Gathering representatives from 25 countries, the summit in Vilnius emphasized transatlantic ties and regional resilience, and reaffirmed joint support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian aggression. The Joint Declaration, adopted by participating countries, underscored collective geopolitical responsibility and strategic alignment. Lithuania’s priorities within 3SI are closely tied to its foreign policy goals—strengthening security, deepening ties with the U.S., and supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and EU integration. A notable example of this engagement was the high-level transport-focused meeting co-organized with the International Transport Forum (ITF) aimed at rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure under the Common Interest Group for Transport in Ukraine (CIG4U) framework. The 2024 summit also saw the introduction of a new academic dimension: the international scientific conference “The Three Seas Initiative: One Concept, Different Approaches?”, which highlighted the critical role of scientific diplomacy and expert knowledge in regional policymaking. This academic initiative is expected to continue in Warsaw in 2025, strengthening the synergy between research and practice. Despite the summit’s strategic significance, its domestic visibility was hampered by Lithuania’s presidential election campaign. Political tensions between the government and presidential office limited media coverage, though President Gitanas Nausėda emerged as the key national promoter of the summit. Lithuania nevertheless achieved key outcomes, including the registration of 143 priority projects, 25 of which focused on Ukraine and Moldova. In addition to security and transatlantic cooperation, Lithuania emphasized infrastructure and energy connectivity, cyber resilience, and the green transformation. Noteworthy efforts include the development of Rail Baltica, the Via Carpatia corridor, and gas interconnectors such as GIPL and Baltic Pipe. The establishment of a regional expert network based on the Lithuanian Green Policy Institute and proposals for a dedicated 3SI research fund further reflect Lithuania’s ambition to embed sustainability and innovation in regional cooperation.