Türkiye's Participation as a Strategic Partner in the Three Seas Initiative (2025)

Türkiye, 28–29 April 2025, was admitted to the Three Seas Initiative with the status of Strategic Partner during the 10th Three Seas Initiative Summit held in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. This development has granted Türkiye an official status within this regional cooperation platform.

Three Seas Initiative Summit 2025 in Warsaw, 29 April 2025 – Anadolu Agency

Structure of the Three Seas Initiative

Founding Purpose and Objectives

The Three Seas Initiative was established in 2015 under the leadership of Poland and Croatia to address infrastructure gaps in transportation, energy, and digital connectivity among countries in eastern and central Europe. The initiative derives its name from the geographic axis formed by the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Seas.

The initiative has three primary objectives: promoting regional economic development, strengthening European integration, and enhancing transatlantic ties. It aims to increase regional connectivity through infrastructure projects along the north-south axis.

Membership Categories

There are three levels of participation in the Three Seas Initiative:

1. Member States: Only European Union member countries are eligible for this status.
2. Strategic Partners: Non-EU states and institutions that provide financial and political support to the initiative fall under this category.
3. Co-Participants: Countries such as Ukraine and Moldova, which are targeted for future integration into the initiative, are included in this group.

As of 2025, Türkiye is designated as a Strategic Partner alongside the United States, Japan, the European Commission, and Germany.

Türkiye’s Application Process and Acceptance

Preliminary Preparations and Participation in the 9th Summit

Türkiye participated in the 9th Three Seas Summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 11 April 2024, as a special guest. At this meeting, the United Kingdom, Finland, Montenegro, Spain, and Israel also held similar status. Following this participation, Türkiye formally submitted its application for Strategic Partnership.

10th Summit and Acceptance Process

The application for Strategic Partnership was voted on and approved during the 10th Summit held in Warsaw on 28–29 April 2025. Evaluation of applications requires unanimous consent among Member States. As a result, Türkiye and Spain were declared Strategic Partners, while Montenegro and Albania were granted Co-Participant status.

Three Seas Initiative Summit 2025 in Warsaw, 29 April 2025 – Anadolu Agency

At the opening of the 10th Summit, Polish President Andrzej Duda stated: “I believe that with these new participants, cooperation under this format will become more effective.”

Türkiye was represented at the Summit by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. Following the acceptance of Türkiye’s application, Uraloğlu stated: “Türkiye has now become a Strategic Partner of the Three Seas Initiative, which is of great value to us.”

Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu at the Three Seas Initiative Summit 2025 in Warsaw, 29 April 2025 – Anadolu Agency

Türkiye’s Contribution Areas to the Three Seas Initiative

Transportation and Infrastructure Projects

Türkiye is actively involved in the Via Carpatia project, which directly contributes to the transportation component of the initiative. This highway network begins at the Port of Klaipėda in Lithuania, passes through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria, and extends to Istanbul via the Port of Thessaloniki.

Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu provided the following information regarding Türkiye’s current infrastructure capacity: “The Turkish Straits are connected by four road crossings: one beneath the strait via the Eurasia Tunnel and three above it via bridges, including the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which has the world’s largest span.”

Through the Marmaray connection, uninterrupted rail transit is provided beneath the strait. Additionally, a double-track railway line is planned for the central section of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, with approximately five billion US dollars in preparatory investment underway for this purpose.

An agreement has been signed to open a new railway border crossing between Türkiye and Bulgaria, with the aim of enhancing border logistics.

Regional Logistics Corridors

Türkiye’s participation in the initiative is not limited to the Black Sea region but is linked to broader logistical visions that connect to the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Minister Uraloğlu expressed this perspective by stating: “When we link the Three Seas Initiative via Türkiye to the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, it effectively becomes a project encompassing five seas.”

In this context, Türkiye’s Development Corridor and Middle Corridor projects serve as complementary components to the initiative’s north-south axis. The Development Corridor is a land transport project aiming to connect the Persian Gulf through Iraq and Türkiye to Europe. The Middle Corridor is an east-west connectivity network extending from South Caucasus and the Caspian Sea through Central Asia to China.

Energy, Digitalization, and Sustainability

Türkiye considers energy security a priority area within the framework of the initiative. Minister Uraloğlu stated: “In addition to securing our own energy supply, Türkiye plays an active role in safeguarding the energy supply security of Europe, especially our neighbors and partners.”

The development of existing infrastructure in natural gas, electricity transmission lines, and renewable energy is a key objective. Türkiye is viewed as contributing to the integration of regional energy markets through these projects.

Türkiye’s national strategies in smart transportation systems, green logistics, and digital infrastructure are noted to be aligned with the European Union’s environmental goals. In this context, Türkiye is expected to provide technical contributions to the initiative’s digital transformation and sustainability-focused projects.

Private Sector Engagement and Investment Opportunities

Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Uraloğlu highlighted the participation of Turkish companies in investment opportunities offered by the initiative. During a meeting with Moldova’s Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea, it was noted that Turkish firms will be considered for projects funded by approximately two billion euros in EU funds.

Uraloğlu also emphasized that “our companies are ready,” underlining the experience of Turkish firms operating across Europe, the Far East, Africa, and the Turkic Republics.