VILNIUS, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The directors of NATO's Centers of Excellence (COEs) started a three-day conference here on Tuesday aimed at stepping up cooperation of allied institutions.
The conference is to be attended by representatives of 24 centers operating in 19 countries and NATO headquarters, the Lithuanian defense ministry announced on Tuesday.
"The key aim of the conference is to look for ways and models that could help further enhance and facilitate cooperation through joint activities, integration of efforts of several or more COEs to the maximum," said the ministry in its press release.
COE's are NATO's training and education institutions that carry out research and analysis, contribute to the development of NATO doctrines, and carry out exercises in the field of their activity.
The conference in Lithuania is being hosted by NATO's energy security center of excellence which operates in the Lithuanian capital. The center, which makes analysis and recommendations to the allied countries on energy efficiency, security, and critical infrastructure, was opened in Lithuania in 2013, emphasizing the country's experience in the energy sector.
The Baltic state had long been dependant on Russian energy supplies and influence, but persisted in its efforts to diversify energy supplies.
