THE REVIVAL OF THE INTERMARIUM GEOPOLITICAL PROJECT – THE THREE SEAS INITIATIVE AND BUCHAREST 9 FORMAT –
THE REVIVAL OF THE INTERMARIUM GEOPOLITICAL PROJECT – THE THREE SEAS INITIATIVE AND BUCHAREST 9 FORMAT –

Summary/Abstract: In the light of recent crises, EU and NATO seem to be in the middle of an internal struggle to maintain their unity and cohesion. In order to create a common and stronger voice within these two structures, the Central-Eastern European countries developed two cooperation frameworks: the Three Seas Initiative (TSI) and Bucharest 9 (B9). In our vision, both emerging formats contribute to the creation of a (new) strategic North-South Axis, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, with Poland and Romania as the pillars. This is not a new concern, having its roots in the Intermarium idea, coined by Jozef Pilsudski, Marshal and leader of interwar Poland. After the First World War, he envisioned the organization of the region as a federation of states, and then as an alliance, with the purpose of countering the then-German and Russian powers. Today, we assist at the revival of the project, especially politically in Poland, but also in academic circles. The fact that the U.S. supports both initiatives gives a new impetus to the security of the region. Therefore, the aim of this paper is twofold: (1) to present the Intermarium geopolitical project and its contemporary revival through TSI and B9; and (2) to analyze the revival from a Romanian perspective, as well as to assess the implications for our country.

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