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During the working visit to Washington, D.C. on 11 April, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Evaldas Ignatavičius took part in consultations with U.S. officials on nuclear non-proliferation and agreed to continue to strengthen the cooperation between Lithuania and the United States in this field, exchange experts and develop joint training programmes. During the meetings with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-Proliferation Thomas Countryman and Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation for the National Nuclear Security Administration Anne Harrington, the Vice-Minister discussed the international community’s aspirations and initiatives to prevent illicit proliferation of nuclear materials and Lithuania’s efforts to combat this global menace.

“At the Nuclear Security Summit, which was recently held in Seoul, Lithuania informed that it was setting up the Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security to fight and prevent nuclear smuggling. Lithuania maintains a very serious attitude towards the establishment of this centre and hopes in cooperation with the U.S. and other regional partners to develop efficient mechanisms for preventing proliferation of nuclear materials, strengthen cooperation between interested regional institutions and share best practices with our neighbours,” Ignatavičius said.

On 12 March 2012, the Government of Lithuania decided to set up a Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security in Medininkai. Lithuania seeks to turn it into a regional centre in the future.

“The illegal proliferation of nuclear materials is a real serious menace, coordinated and highly professional actions of the entire international community are necessary to prevent it. Our transatlantic partners and the Barack Obama administration devote particular attention to the solution of this problem. Lithuania is full of determination to contribute to this effort,” Ignatavičius said.