New Zealand Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania, H.E. Mary Thurston, visited the NATO ENSEC COE on the 11th of July

On the 11^th of July H.E. Mary THURSTON paid a visit to the NATO ENSEC COE where the main activities and mission of the Centre were presented to the ambassador. The visit was a part of a bigger trip since H.E. Mary THURSTON arrived to Vilnius after visiting the Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (NATO CCD COE) in Estonia, Tallinn.

The LTC Andrea MANFREDINI, the head of the Doctrine and Concept Division, gave a briefing on the Centre’s history, mission and principal activities, presented the biggest events hosted by the Centre or in cooperation with partner entities. After the introduction, Centres division heads presented the researches and projects implemented by their divisions. Major Scott SERKIN, the head of the Education Training and Exercise Division, presented the courses carried out and the upcoming events. Ms Julia VAINIO, representing the Strategic Analysis Division, introduced the published researches as well as ongoing analyses. Finally, the head of the Research and Lessons Learned Division, Mr Reiner ZIMMERMANN, talked the guest through the principal energy infrastructure security gaps on which his division is currently working.

During the meeting H.E. Mary THURSTON was particularly interested in the NATO ENSEC COE’s contribution to the region’s security and its’ role in the perspective of the NATO structure. The guest was also willing to know how the Centre is corresponding to the energy efficiency issues regarding the climate change impact.

The meeting was finalised with the closing remarks from H.E. Mary THURSTON who claimed to have gained a deeper knowledge in the NATO ENSEC COE work and expressed her willingness to continue the mutual cooperation in the future.