An Uninvolved Observer? Slovakia and the Three Seas Initiative (2015-2024)

Abstract

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is a relatively new format of regional cooperation in Central Europe focused on economic cooperation. From the beginning, Slovakia has been a member of the initiative, but it is one of the least involved participating countries in the Three Seas cooperation. This is due to many international and domestic factors. Bratislava, above all, does not see any added value in the 3SI and focuses primarily on EU funds in its regional development. The format is also perceived as aimed at EU unity and a counterweight to German dominance. The new US administration of Donald Trump and its approach to the 3SI provides an opportunity to change the position of the Slovak authorities. The current president of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, may pursue a similarly new policy towards the format. The article presents the conditions for Slovakia's functioning in the 3SI in the years 2015-2024, state and expert entities involved in the Three Seas cooperation, public discourse on the 3SI and the most important projects involving the Slovak side. An attempt was also made to answer the question about the reasons for Slovakia's distancing itself from this format of regional cooperation and the possibilities of overcoming this reluctance.