Energy, EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Security, USA

Energy Security Centre. Photo: kam.lt

The event will also be attended by the US Ambassador in Lithuania HE Anne Derse, representatives of the National Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries and the Energy Security Centre.

The Cooperation Protocol between ESC and USEUCOM was signed in Stuttgart on November 7 by ESC Head Bruzga and Chief of US EUCOM Staff Adm Charles Martoglio. The Protocol stipulates developed and deeper cooperation between ESC and US EUCOM in defence sector. It covers exchange of visits, experience and experts, joint events aimed at a better understanding and assessment of challenges in energy resource supply for armed capabilities.

Collaboration between ESC and EUCOM will be instrumental to help Lithuania implement its aspiration to declare ESC the NATO Centre of Excellence the following year by helping to establish and certify it.

Cooperation with EUCOM will be expanded in future as well and will cover a wider range of ESC activities.

As the NATO Centre of Excellence, ESC will be able to contribute to the NATO transformation process and enhanced interaction between the allies and partners. The Centre will render advice on the development of concepts, doctrines and standards in energy security sector, initiate training events and exercises, expand active cooperation between the allies, etc. The Centre will also pool scientific energy security resources by encouraging development and employment of innovative technologies in warfare. The first event focusing on technological innovations was held on November 10 this year at the LITEXPO Exhibition Centre.

ESC was officially opened on January 14 of this year. Ministry of National Defence is actively involved in the activity of the Centre which is directly subordinate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs –the Centre is headed by a representative of the National Defence System, Col Romualdas Petkevicius, several other ministerial representatives are on the ESC Board.

US EUCOM is in charge of all the US capabilities based in Europe. US EUCOM Commander Adm James Stavridis is also Commander of the Supreme Headquarters Allied powers Europe (SHAPE). US EUCOM is based in Stuttgart, Germany.