FORMAL NATO ENSEC COE ESTABLISHMENT IS COMPLETE

n September 7th, the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence (NATO ENSEC COE) Operational and Functional Memoranda of Understanding were signed by the French National Representative.

Earlier last week, the MOUs were signed by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts on behalf of Estonia.

Thus, Estonia and France have fulfilled their obligations and together with Lithuania, Latvia, Italy and Turkey officially became NATO ENSEC COE Sponsoring Nations, completing the formal stage of the establishment of the NATO ENSEC COE.

On the 20th of August, Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania Lt Gen Arvydas Pocius, formally requested to have the NATO Committee Chairman grant the ENSEC COE the status of a NATO COE, in accordance with both the Military Committee Concept of Centres of Excellence and Accreditation Criteria.

The NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence will continue the work being carried out by the currently operational Energy Security Center under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania. The transition will be complete after the North Atlantic Council grants the NATO ENSEC COE the status of an International Military Organisation, which is expected to happen later this year.