Turkey joins founding nations of NATO Energy Security Center in Vilnius

Lithuanian, Latvian, Turkish, and Italian military plenipotentiaries signed necessary documents for establishing the center in NATO’s Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, on Tuesday. Other contracting parties - Estonia and France - will sign the documents shortly after finishing their internal authorization procedures. The US intends to join them as soon as the center’s accreditation process is finalized.

"Establishing the center is a direct implementation of the wise defense concept, contributing to the enhancement of the Alliance's efficiency. It serves as proof that we have superb experts, we have found our niche and are capable of making a significant contribution to NATO's future. Let us not forget the selfless service of our soldiers in NATO missions. We are a NATO country that not only receives security but also builds it," Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis said in a press release.

He welcomed Turkey to the group of founding countries.

According to the press release, at the moment, the Energy Security Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is being transformed into the NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence. The scope of the center’s current activities will be broadened as it will gain the status of a NATO’s international military organization. It is expected that this status will be granted by the North Atlantic Council by the end of this year, thus ending formal accreditation process.

The NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence is established at the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania. International staff will consist of a group of representatives from all the countries that are engaged in the activities of the center, the ministry said.

The center will be headed by a representative delegated by the Ministry of National Defense, which will also appoint five specialists and administrative staff. In order to become fully operational, the center will have to undergo NATO accreditation process.

The NATO Energy Security Center of Excellence will have to achieve these essential goals: support the process of developing military capabilities, improve military mission effectiveness and interoperability, and provide qualified and timely expert support to solve energy security issues.

The center will analyze energy security issues and challenges for critical energy infrastructure protection, provide recommendations and proposals on operational energy security, military use of alternative fuels and renewable energy, and development of effective and environmentally friendly military capabilities. The center will also deliver training and exercises.

Lithuania’s initiative to establish a NATO-accredited Energy Security Center of Excellence was backed at the Summit Meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Chicago on 20-21 May.