October 21, the Government has agreed to a proposal from four Ministries (National Defence, Foreign Affair, Transport and Communications, and Economy and Innovation) to apply for becoming the host of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC). The ECCC would become the principal instrument of the European Union to promote European cybersecurity initiatives and develop cybersecurity research and technology. Negotiations on the regulation of establishment are still in progress at the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, the new EU body is expected to become operational next year.
According to Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis, it was logical to nominate Lithuania bearing in mind the progress the country had made over the recent years in cybersecurity, and the input in developing international cybersecurity projects.
“We see the potential establishment of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre in Lithuania as a great contribution not only to a stronger international image of Lithuania but also to the cultivation of a modern technology ecosystem and development of cooperation among telecommunications and cybersecurity institutions in the region, and increasing competence and resilience to cyber threats,” Minister R. Karoblis says.
Lithuania evaluated the security requirements for the ECCC, including for communications infrastructure, and proposed Vilnius Television Tower premises for hosting the institution. The Government also agreed to the offer to bear the costs of premise maintenance for five years in case Lithuania got the nomination.
Lithuania will have to formally apply to European institutions until the end of October. The vote to decide the future ECCC headquarters location is expected to take place in December.
Other applicants to host the ECCC are expected to be Belgium, Spain, Poland, Luxembourg and Romania. Lithuania seeks Nordic and Baltic countries to endorse its candidacy.
ECCC activity will be financed under the Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programme instruments in the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021–2027. ECCC staff is planned to number between 30 and 50.
Related photo (MoD archive)
