Turkish FM Fidan attends Three Seas summit in Croatia

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative Summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Tuesday, representing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Foreign Ministry announced. In a post on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, the ministry confirmed Fidan’s participation in the summit on behalf of the president. The Three Seas Initiative is a presidential-level platform launched in 2015, bringing together 12 EU member states located between the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black seas.

Focus areas and Türkiye’s role

The initiative focuses on enhancing regional cooperation in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to support economic development and cohesion across Central and Eastern Europe. Türkiye has been an active partner in the initiative, despite not being an EU member, leveraging its position as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Ankara sees the Three Seas Initiative as complementary to its own connectivity projects, including the Middle Corridor and the Development Road.

Strategic importance

Fidan’s attendance underscores Türkiye’s growing engagement with Central and Eastern European partners amid shifting energy dynamics caused by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Türkiye is positioning itself as an alternative energy transit route and a key player in regional infrastructure. The summit also provides a platform for bilateral talks with participating countries, many of which are NATO allies.