The NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence will identify potential energy threats and provide recommendations and proposals to the Allies for dealing with them effectively. It will develop mutual assistance instruments for extreme situations and military training programmes to protect critical energy infrastructure.

"Lithuania, just like other NATO countries, faces newly emerging challenges, including those in the energy sector. This poses a serious threat to economic and national security as well as to the well-being of people. Lithuania has a lot of experience in this field. The NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence in Vilnius is Lithuania's concrete contribution to supporting Smart Defence," the President said.

According to the President, Lithuania is building a LNG terminal and interconnections with Western Europe to achieve energy independence. The Center will provide advice on how to protect these strategically important energy facilities.

Dalia Grybauskaitė underlined that Lithuania's achievements are highly valued and appreciated by NATO. The Energy Security Center established in Vilnius within national framework became a NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence in just a year's time.

"When we stand together and join our efforts, we can turn huge projects into reality. The establishment of a NATO Center of Excellence for Energy Security also means that partners value our knowledge and expertise in energy matters as well as our ability to keep up with modern challenges," the President said.

Working at the Center are experts from Italy, France, Turkey, Latvia, and Estonia. The United States has also stated its readiness to engage in the Center's work. Today, it staffs sixteen employees. Their number is scheduled to reach twenty seven.

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