Hungary plays a prominent role, not only in Europe, but also in the relations between the continent and Central Asia – experts agreed on Tuesday at the Hungarian Foreign Affairs Institute (MKI) about the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) and the Central Corridor leading from Central Asia to Europe. at the round table discussion on the trade route.
The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is a joint initiative of the 13 countries between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas, the member states of the European Union, in order to expand trade relations in the region. Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Romania participate in the cooperation. Last year, 3SI added two participants: Ukraine and Moldova became the associated countries of the initiative.
Hungary as a bridgehead between Europe and Asia
Hungary is a puzzle piece of a big picture – outlined the geopolitical situation of our country Sándor Seremet, MKI’s leading researcher and research group coordinator. He added that by being a member of the Organization of Turkic States (TÁSZ) as an observer state, our country has a greater insight into what is happening in the two regions. “I think this is a very important role,” he pointed out, emphasizing that regions can be connected through Hungary.
The Central Corridor is not just a route that crosses from one country to another. It has different branches, passes through different countries, which are also connected geographically, ethnically and culturally
– said Sándor Seremet.
The expert highlighted: the Middle Corridor also passes through Georgia in the Caucasus, which received candidate status in the European Union in December 2023 – Sándor Seremet expressed his hope for Georgia’s accession to the EU. He also spoke about energy relations, in the diversification of which Central Asian countries also play a key role, not only in the case of Hungary, but also in the case of states such as Romania. James Jay Carafano, a staff member of the Washington-based think tank The Heritage Foundation, expressed a similar opinion. The expert pointed out that we are witnessing great power competition, even though it is not exactly the same today as it was during the Cold War, when a sharp line separated people from each other.
Connecting the Three Seas Initiative and the Central Corridor should be seen as an opportunity to reconnect the processes that reinforce each other on the Eurasian continent.
he said.
