Andrzej Duda made the statement at the Three Seas Initiative Business Forum in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
On Wednesday, the Polish president took part in a summit of the presidents of Three Seas Initiative countries in the Romanian capital.
Addressing the Three Seas Business Forum on Thursday, Duda said: “I am glad that today we can meet to discuss the economic potential of the Three Seas Initiative and the business opportunities that it offers. Our meeting is an excellent opportunity to highlight the growing role of the Three Seas region, not only at the European level, but also globally.”
Poland’s head of state noted that “over the past 15 years, the Three Seas region has boasted the most dynamic economic development of all regions in Europe.”
He added: “We have rightfully been perceived by global businesses as the Eastern engine of the European Union and a safe haven for investors in turbulent times. Despite many challenges of both political and economic nature, the Three Seas Initiative has proved its instrumental role in securing favourable conditions for businesses to prosper.”
Duda told the audience: “Since its creation in 2015, the Initiative has payed special attention to regional security and diversification of supply sources. Thanks to the development of common projects such as cross–border gas interconnectors, the Baltic Pipe and LNG terminals, we have been able to survive the energy crisis caused by Russia.”
Poland’s president also stressed the importance of “the green transition and the development of renewable energy sources.”
He told the event in Bucharest: “The construction of offshore wind farms at the Baltic Sea opens new possibilities of cooperation, notably between Poland and the Baltic states. Undoubtedly there is a huge potential in our region to develop a strong hydrogen economy.”
The head of state noted: “That is the reason that this year, Polish company Orlen has submitted a brand new Three Seas Priority Project, aimed at the production of green hydrogen at its refinery complex in Lithuania.”
Duda added: “We also look forward to developing Small Modular Reactors across the region, which – together with nuclear plants – will significantly change the energy generation scheme in this part of the European Union.”
The Polish president also thanked US President Joe Biden’s Special Envoy John Kerry “for the US support and collaboration in this regard.”
The Polish-led Three Seas Initiative aims to boost infrastructure, energy and business ties among the 13 countries situated between the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas.
The initiative brings together Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and now also Greece, which was admitted to the Three Seas club at the Bucharest summit on Wednesday.
The initiative’s key partners include the European Union and the United States.
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Source: PAP, president.pl