Strategic International Investments and Economic Resilience: The Three Seas Initiative as a Regional Development Tool

The paper analyses the role of strategic international investments in strengthening economic resilience in Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on the Three Seas Initiative as a regional development tool. In the context of geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and uneven economic development within the European Union, the paper highlights the importance of a coordinated regional framework capable of boosting connectivity, competitiveness and long-term stability. The existing literature emphasizes economic resilience as a multidimensional concept, closely linked to infrastructure development, investment diversification and regional cooperation. While previous research has addressed the political and strategic dimensions of the Three Seas Initiative, there is a lack of studies on its economic impact and capacity to attract international investments as a mechanism for strengthening resilience of the area. The paper contributes to closing this gap by framing the initiative within broader debates on regional development in domains like energy, transport and digitalization and international political economy. The study uses a qualitative methodology, based on document analysis, comparative assessment and public policy analysis. The main research questions concern how the Three Seas Initiative facilitates strategic international investments, the most influenced economic sectors and the extent to which these investments support the strengthening of economic resilience in the participating states. The results show that the initiative contributes significantly to the development of infrastructure, improving regional connectivity and increasing the attractiveness of Central and Eastern Europe for international investors. These processes enhance economic resilience by reducing structural vulnerabilities and supporting sustainable development. The main contribution of the paper is to provide an analytical framework that links strategic investments to economic resilience through regional cooperation, thus advancing the understanding of the Three Seas Initiative as an effective instrument for regional development.