The Atlantic Council strives to promote a Europe undivided, free, and prosperous through its support of the Three Seas Initiative. The Initiative seeks to bolster investment in Central and Eastern European transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure to improve regional connectivity and bolster development. Through publications, events, and collaboration with regional governments, the Atlantic Council builds awareness for the Initiative on both sides of the Atlantic among the public and private sectors.

The Atlantic Council has been linked with the Three Seas Initiative since its inception starting with the 2014 report on “Completing Europe – From the North-South Corridor to Energy, Transportation, and Telecommunications Union.“

FEATURED COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS

The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

New Atlanticist Aug 23, 2023

Policy memo: How to sharpen the digital pillar of the Three Seas Initiative

The Three Seas Initiative and its digital pillar currently lack the credibility needed to attract sustained investments.

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The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

New Atlanticist Jan 22, 2024

Three Seas Initiative leaders on European connectivity and Ukraine’s reconstruction

By Daniel Hojnacki

Central and Eastern European leaders discussed the Initiative’s efforts to attract investment, as well as Ukraine’s potential membership.
Central Europe Economy & Business
The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

New Atlanticist Jan 22, 2024

How Ukraine can rebuild in partnership with the Three Seas Initiative, according to leaders at Davos

By Katherine Walla

Officials and business leaders discussed how the Three Seas Initiative can support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Economy & Business United States and Canada
The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

EnergySource Aug 31, 2023

A Three Seas Chamber of Commerce could enhance energy diversification across Central and Eastern Europe

By Olga Khakova, Paddy Ryan, and Bailee Mathews

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Summit in Bucharest takes place next week. To catalyze investment and diversify away from Russian energy, the summit should establish a Three Seas Chamber of Commerce, capable of sustaining progress and unleashing the region’s full potential.
Central Europe Eastern Europe
The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

Event Recap May 25, 2022

Three Seas House at the World Economic Forum in Davos

As geopolitical turmoil shakes Central and Eastern Europe, the Three Seas Initiative can play a critical role in stabilizing the region. The Atlantic Council hosted seven panel discussions at the Three Seas House at the World Economic Forum to discuss how.
Central Europe Digital Policy
The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

New Atlanticist Jul 1, 2021

Policy memo: A digital agenda for the Three Seas Initiative Summit

By Frances Burwell, Jörn Fleck, James Batchik, and Luka Ignac

The Three Seas nations should invest in digital infrastructure, nurture emerging technologies, and amplify the region’s voice on policy. Here’s how.
Central Europe Digital Policy
The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

Report Oct 28, 2020

Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe: Building regional cooperation

By The Atlantic Council Task Force on Digitalization in Central and Eastern Europe and the Three Seas Initiative

Digitalization has been heralded as “the next engine of growth” for the economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the idea that digitalization can transform the region’s economic model has never been more relevant than amid the current coronavirus pandemic.
Central Europe Digital Policy

PAST EVENTS

Flagship Event Mon, November 6, 2023 • 8:30 am ET

2023 Central Europe Week

A week of hybrid programming highlighting how the United States and Central Europe can together lead in shaping transatlantic responses to global challenges.
Central Europe Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Mon, December 5, 2022 • 2:00 pm ET

2022 Central Europe Week

A week of hybrid programming highlighting how the United States and Central Europe can together lead in shaping transatlantic responses during times of war and geopolitical crisis, while also underscoring our unique cultural connections. The 2022 Central Europe Week will take place from December 5 – 9, 2022.
Central Europe Eastern Europe
Online Event Wed, June 8, 2022 • 9:30 am ET

The road to Riga: Preparing for the Three Seas Summit and Business Forum
Central Europe Eastern Europe Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
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IN THE NEWS

Press Release

Feb 18, 2021

Atlantic Council announces Three Seas Chairs

Chairs will bring unparalleled experience to advancing international investment in Central Europe and the Baltic States

Central Europe

EXPERTS

Board director

James L. Jones, Jr.

Executive Chairman Emeritus

Board director

Georgette Mosbacher

Co-Chair, Three Seas Programming

Europe Center

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Ian Brzezinski

Senior Fellow

Europe Center Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Central Europe Defense Policy

Staff

Jörn Fleck

Senior Director

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Staff

Aaron Korewa

Director, Warsaw Office

Europe Center

Central Europe Northern Europe

Staff

Denise Forsthuber

Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement and Operations

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Staff

James Batchik

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Digital Policy

Staff

Emma Nix

Assistant Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Eastern Europe

ALL CONTENT

Flagship Event Mon, November 6, 2023 • 8:30 am ET

2023 Central Europe Week

A week of hybrid programming highlighting how the United States and Central Europe can together lead in shaping transatlantic responses to global challenges.
Central Europe Economy & Business Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Mon, December 5, 2022 • 2:00 pm ET

2022 Central Europe Week

A week of hybrid programming highlighting how the United States and Central Europe can together lead in shaping transatlantic responses during times of war and geopolitical crisis, while also underscoring our unique cultural connections. The 2022 Central Europe Week will take place from December 5 – 9, 2022.
Central Europe Eastern Europe
Online Event Wed, June 8, 2022 • 9:30 am ET

The road to Riga: Preparing for the Three Seas Summit and Business Forum
Central Europe Eastern Europe Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Event Recap

May 25, 2022

Three Seas House at the World Economic Forum in Davos

As geopolitical turmoil shakes Central and Eastern Europe, the Three Seas Initiative can play a critical role in stabilizing the region. The Atlantic Council hosted seven panel discussions at the Three Seas House at the World Economic Forum to discuss how.

Central Europe Digital Policy
Online Event Tue, May 17, 2022 • 10:30 am ET

The US and Poland: A transatlantic pillar in an era of volatility and war
Central Europe Economy & Business Poland Politics & Diplomacy
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Europe Center

The Europe Center promotes leadership, strategies and analysis to ensure a strong, ambitious and forward-looking transatlantic relationship.

Explore the program

Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2020

The “time is now or never” for Central Europe to grasp Three Seas opportunity, Estonia’s president says

By David A. Wemer

Now that an investment fund to fuel the development of stronger cross-border transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure links in Central and Eastern Europe has been launched, countries in the region “need to quickly decide” whether they want to participate before the opportunity vanishes, according to Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

Press Release

Feb 15, 2020

US commits $1 billion dollars to develop Central European infrastructure

By Atlantic Council

“Secretary Pompeo's announcement of $1 billion for the Three Seas Initiative is a powerful demonstration of America’s continued commitment to Europe,” stated General James L. Jones Jr. (USMC-ret.), executive chairman emeritus of the Atlantic Council, who attended the Munich Security Conference. “It reflects America’s recognition of the strategic significance of Central Europe as well Washington’s high confidence in the economic vitality and economic prospects of the Three Seas region.”

Central Europe Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Feb 11, 2019

The Three Seas Initiative explained

By David A. Wemer

As the United States looks to confront Russian and Chinese economic and geopolitical competition in Europe and across the world, the Three Seas Initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen the economies of US allies.

Central Europe Geopolitics & Energy Security

EnergySource

Nov 7, 2018

The Three Seas Initiative: The way forward

By Fanni Virág

Last month, the third Summit of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) came to a successful close in Bucharest. The gathering, hosted by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, brought together leaders from Europe and the United States to present regional government-approved projects and concrete progress in the integration of 3SI’s framework, which aims to improve interconnectivity in […]

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 18, 2018

Rick Perry to Europe: Energy security tantamount to national security

By David A. Wemer

Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas “is truly a cause for concern,” Perry said in remarks at the closing session of the Three Seas Initiative’s Business Forum in Bucharest on September 18.

Central Europe Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2018

At Three Seas Initiative’s Bucharest summit, Central European leaders seek to transform region

By David Wemer

The initiative brings together twelve European Union (EU) member states from the area that borders the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Seas, to discuss common infrastructure and development programs to jumpstart the region’s economy.

Central Europe International Markets

EnergySource

Sep 14, 2018

The Three Seas Initiative’s Bucharest summit: Focusing on energy

By Fanni Virág

On September 17, 2018, the leaders of the twelve member countries of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) will gather in Bucharest for the third Three Seas Summit, in the hopes of achieving concrete progress on some of the initiative’s projects. Launched in 2016 by the countries bordering the Adriatic, the Baltic, and the Black Seas, […]

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2018

Three Seas leaders must overcome external influence and internal disunity to achieve prosperity

By Zsofia Bajnai

The many external and internal obstacles facing the Three Seas Initiative must be confronted at upcoming Bucharest Summit, if the project is to develop into a serious economic program.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Sep 14, 2018

Prosperity across Three Seas: An opportunity awaits in Bucharest

By Ian Brzezinski

The development of Central Europe’s cross-border infrastructure is not only essential to the region’s economic development, but also to its integration into Europe as a whole.

Central Europe Eastern Europe

New Atlanticist

Jul 7, 2017

Private Sector Support Sought for Three Seas Initiative

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump has provided “valuable” support to the Three Seas Initiative, but he can go further by encouraging US businesses to participate in the plan that seeks to improve trade, infrastructure, and energy links among the twelve nations between the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović said at the […]

Northern Europe Poland
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