3SI Summit, Business Forum confirm Croatia’s strategic role as transport, logistics, energy hub

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman participated on 28 and 29 April 2026 in Dubrovnik in the Summit and Business Forum of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), held in the framework of Croatia's presidency of the Initiative. The gathering of heads of state and government, ministers, international partners and representatives of the business community once again confirmed the growing political, economic and geostrategic importance of the area between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas.

The Summit was hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, who recalled that Dubrovnik had given its name to the joint activities of the Three Seas Initiative ten years ago and underlined that the city should remain a place connecting northern and southern Europe. "Croatia remains a committed, active and reliable partner in all that lies ahead," Plenković concluded.

Held ten years after the signing of the Dubrovnik Declaration, the Summit focused on strengthening European resilience, connectivity and competitiveness in the context of a changing global security and economic environment. Leaders and delegations of participating states discussed energy security, transport corridors, digital transformation, new investment models, and enhanced connectivity in Central and Eastern Europe along the north-south axis. The discussions confirmed that the 3SI has evolved beyond its initial regional format, establishing itself as an important platform for strengthening EU cohesion and developing strategic infrastructure.

Within the framework of the Summit, particular emphasis was placed on cooperation with strategic partners, notably reflected in the strong presence of the U.S. and Japan. A number of agreements and declarations were signed in the fields of energy, investment, seaports and new technologies. Of particular note is the signing of the Agreement on the Southern Gas Interconnection between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, with the U.S. support, will connect Bosnia and Herzegovina to the LNG terminal on the island of Krk, thereby further strengthening security of supply and diversification of energy routes in South-East Europe.

In parallel with the Summit, the 2SI Business Forum was held, bringing together nearly 1,500 participants from 45 countries across four continents. Grlić Radman opened the Business Forum on 28 April 2026 and, in his introductory remarks, highlighted that over its ten years of existence the Initiative has developed into a serious and goal-oriented platform linking policies, capital and development projects. He emphasised that the region of thirteen EU Member States represents one of Europe's most promising investment areas, characterised by above-average economic growth and significant scope for further investment.

During the Business Forum, panels were held on the financing of infrastructure projects, energy security, transport and logistics connectivity, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data centres, and new global trade corridors. Particular attention was devoted to digital transition and high-technology projects, including cooperation with Croatian companies such as Končar, as well as investments in data centres and the development of artificial intelligence.

The Dubrovnik meeting reaffirmed Croatia's role as a natural transport, logistics and energy hub between Central Europe, the Mediterranean and emerging Eurasian trade routes, as well as an active contributor to shaping the future resilience and competitiveness of the EU as a whole.

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