Italy's involvement in the Three Seas Initiative: The rationale for Italy participating in the Three Seas Initiative

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI), a platform established in 2016 by 12 EU member states, has been gaining strategic importance in recent times. This group, united by their historical experience of the Iron Curtain, aims to promote cooperation between northern and southern European countries and to highlight the regions of the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic seas.

Currently, the 3SI includes Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. However, one notable absence from the member list is Italy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni understands the increasing strategic importance of the 3SI for participating countries. With her national conservative policies and Italy’s interest in diversifying its geopolitical partnerships beyond Western Europe, Meloni might be motivated to have Italy join the 3SI.

Joining the 3SI could strengthen regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, enhance Italy’s political and economic influence in that part of Europe, and support collective security and infrastructure development among member states.

Ukraine and Moldova were named associate states of the 3SI in 2022 and 2023, while Albania and Montenegro obtained this status in 2025. Yet, neither past nor present Italian governments have considered the 3SI a geopolitical priority.

Giorgia Meloni should look beyond Italy's traditional areas of geographical interest and engage in more extensive forms of regional cooperation. Adopting a long-term approach to economic security, she should focus on the 3SI. This move would align with her national conservative policies and Italy’s interest in diversifying its geopolitical partnerships.

By joining the 3SI, Italy could play a significant role in fostering closer ties with Central and Eastern European nations, potentially enhancing its standing on the European stage. The question remains whether Meloni will seize this opportunity to strengthen Italy's position in Europe.

Italy's involvement in the Three Seas Initiative: The rationale for Italy participating in the Three Seas Initiative