The North Atlantic Council gave its approval to Lithuania's Energy Security Centre becoming a NATO accredited centre of excellence, presidential press service said.

President Dalia Grybauskaite underlined that this is a very important achievement for Lithuania signifying that our country's contribution to the North Atlantic Alliance is highly estimated, informs LETA/ELTA.

"Energy independence is the overriding priority on Lithuania's foreign policy agenda. Today, by decision of all 28 NATO member countries, the Energy Security Centre in Lithuania has become a NATO centre of excellence. This decision demonstrates Lithuania's success in effectively ensuring its interests and even more strengthens its leading position in NATO and international arena in energy security matters," the President said.

Political support of the Allies to Vilnius-based centre's becoming a NATO centre of excellence has been achieved while the President attended the NATO Chicago Summit in May.

Results achieved through the efforts of the President also include the approved contingency plans for the Baltic States, the extension of air policing mission indefinitely, and collective defence guarantees in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.