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Energy security issues are of increasing importance on NATO agenda. A number of guiding principles for NATO’s role in energy security was agreed in Bucharest Summit 2008, as well as five areas where NATO could give value added were outlined (information and intelligence fusion; projecting stability; advancing international and regional cooperation; supporting consequence management; and supporting the protection of critical infrastructure). As it is stated in NATO Strasbourg / Kehl Summit Declaration, “The Alliance will continue to consult on the most immediate risks in the field of energy security” <…> “The issues of a stable and reliable energy supply, diversification of routes, suppliers and energy sources, and the interconnectivity of energy networks, remain of critical importance.” We are glad to note that NATO has become a useful platform for pursuing dialogue on energy security issues, especially with the partner countries. Regular consultations with partners and efficient exchange of information do help to ensure mutually beneficial energy cooperation among suppliers, consumers and transit countries. EAPC is just the right venue for these activities, especially, having in mind the importance of NATO partner countries in Black and Caspian Sea regions in terms of energy supply.

Energy security is a backbone of each economy as well as one of the key elements of national security. Gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine has proved once again the strength of energy as a tool to influence the welfare and security of other states. Many European countries were left without gas in the mid of winter. Such situation is unacceptable. Seeking to avoid the role of the hostage we should join our efforts to make a change.

Diversification of energy sources is the key for energy security. In this regard, Lithuania sees Caspian and Black Sea region as one of the most viable partners, which potential at the moment is not duly used. Today we have an opportunity to come closer to the vision of the area of greater security between Europe and the Black and Caspian countries by implementing concrete energy projects. The priority should be given to the projects that help to diversify energy supplies. The Nabucco project, the Turkey-Greece-Italy or Odessa-Brody-Plock pipelines are critical as they decrease Europe’s dependency on a single external energy supplier. These projects are equally important also for Black and Caspian Sea nations, because they would help to diversify energy markets.

Public and private partnership plays a crucial role in implementing diversification projects, which will require huge investments. During global financial crisis, when access to financial sources is limited, it is important to join efforts of private business and the state. It is obvious, that some projects could be implemented just on private initiative. However, the other projects are not so attractive from commercial point of view, but they could play a key role in strengthening energy security of the state. Therefore, there is a need for clear political will to share responsibilities. Energy security has its price, but it is worth that.

The grid of energy supply covers all of the EAPC nations, therefore we need to develop a consolidated and generic approach so we would be able to tackle disruptions of energy supplies or shortfalls, whatever their cause. Joint approach to civil emergency matters, especially in mitigating any shortfall and allocating energy stocks and supplies to priority users is also a necessity. We sense a need for cross border confidence building, and this could be done through technical agreements between NATO EAPC countries.

There is also a considerable interest from the scientific community in the EAPC nations to create a forum where discussions on NATO’s role in energy security could be elaborated. The idea of establishing an EAPC consortium of energy security related NGOs, think tanks, universities and other counterparts has a big future oriented potential. Related to this, Lithuania is considering establishing a national Energy Security Center, which eventually could become a NATO Center of Excellence and pursue dialogue in wider prospects.

In conclusion, we firmly believe that NATO as a political establishment should further strengthen its role in the field of energy security and in particular through enhanced cooperation with the partners. We should exploit the potential of cooperation between NATO and its partner countries, and the EAPC can create a real value-added in this respect. We should use the EAPC as a useful complementary instrument in further promoting our mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of energy security.