CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR NUCLEAR SECURITY SET UP IN LITHUANIA, IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE US
On 11 April, the Centre of Excellence (COE) for Nuclear Security was set up as an independent unit at the Border Guard School in Medininkai. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has significantly contributed to the opening of the centre in close cooperation with other state institutions, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United States Department of State and the U.S. Department of Energy. The Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security is Lithuania’s contribution to the global community’s fight against nuclear terrorism and smuggling, and to the prevention of these extremely dangerous criminal offences. This year for the first time ever, Lithuania was invited to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit on 26-27 March in Seoul, during which IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano promised to provide all the necessary assistance and support to Lithuania’s Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security.
The centre in Medininkai is yet another Centre of Excellence working under auspices of the IAEA. The main task is training of professionals from competent institutions in the field of nuclear safety and security, strengthening of cooperation and coordination of activities.
The new centre will gather information about training of professionals in various aspects of nuclear security in Lithuania and abroad, will conduct a training needs assessment and develop an annual training plan. The Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security, in cooperation with national and international institutions, will develop training programmes and tools, and participate in emergency exercises.
Development of infrastructure for training and exercises in nuclear security, publication of information are among the centre‘s activities.
Recognition and support of competent foreign and local institutions are very important for successful centre‘s activities. It is expected that in the future the Centre of Excellence will become a regional training centre for nuclear safety with a well-developed technical base.
A working group, which is set up and coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister will assess the legal framework for the struggle against illicit nuclear trafficking and will come up with proposals for improvement and priority activities of the COE in 2012-2013
