International cooperation

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The development of international cooperation with relevant authorities of other countries and international organizations is one of the priority activity areas of the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – the FRD).

The European Union (EU)

In 2004, Lithuania joined the European Union and since then the FRD has been actively participating in its activities, as well as supporting national interests while adopting the legal acts of the European Union in the field of civil protection.

The FRD represents national interests by participating in:

• Working Party on Civil Protection (PROCIV);
• European Commission’s Civil Protection Committee (CPC).

In 2004, the FRD became a member of the European Union Fire Safety Network which aims to ensure interests in the field of fire safety of the European Community, to promote and to develop cooperation between relevant institutions of the European Union and to become a member of the European Commission consulting the questions on fire safety.

In 2004, Firefighters’ Training School of the FRD became a member of the European Fire Service Colleges’ Association (EFSCA). The membership of the association gives a possibility directly cooperate with other European Fire Service Colleges, participate in projects which are financed the EU Funds and exchange the information about work methods in the fields of fire and civil protection.  

European Group of Organizations for Fire Testing, Inspection and Certification (EGOLF) membership joins institutions of the European countries regarding the questions on fire testing, certification and inspection. In 1998, the Fire Research Centre became a full member of the Organization. Since then, representatives of the Fire Research Centre participate in meetings organized by EGOLF.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

The FRD represents interests of the Republic of Lithuania in terms of activities of NATO Civil Emergency Planning Committee (CEPC) and its unit, namely, Civil Protection Group (CPG) as well as coordinates cooperation of other state institutions (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania etc.) in NATO CEPC and boards. The FRD is the contact point cooperating with Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) regarding the exchange of information on rendering humanitarian aid.

The United Nations (UN)

The FRD is responsible for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents.

 The FRD is the contact point cooperating with Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) and coordinating exchange of the information about rendering humanitarian aid.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The FRD implements the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  Together with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania, the FRD participates while implementing Convention on Nuclear Safety.

International Association of Fire and Rescue Service (CTIF)

International Association of Fire and Rescue Service (CTIF) unites members from more than 40 countries whose aim is to promote cooperation between firefighters an experts working in the fields of fire safety and rescue works. Lithuania became a member of this organization in 1928. Later, in 1997, the FRD renewed its membership to CTIF and since then participates in the plenary sessions, symposiums, and since 2001 participate in the firefighters’ sport competitions.

Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)

Regional cooperation plays a significant role in cooperation with the closest neighbouring countries. Considering the regional level, Lithuania is a member of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). In 2010, the FRD hosted the 8th Baltic Sea States Civil Protection Directors-General meeting which was held in Vilnius.

AGREEMENTS SIGNED

Bilateral Cooperation

The FRD pays great attention and promotes bilateral cooperation. Currently, the FRD has signed 11 agreements on mutual assistance.  The agreements contribute while rendering assistance in cases of emergencies, natural disasters, major accidents or other incidents. At present, the FRD possesses agreements with the following countries: Germany (1994); Poland (2000); Hungary (2001); Latvia (2001); Ukraine (2003); Sweden (2003); Belarus (2003); The USA, State of Pennsylvania (2009); Azerbaijan (2012); Georgia (2013) and Moldova (2016).

Trilateral Cooperation

In 2017, three Baltic Sea States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have signed trilateral cooperation Agreement “On Mutual Assistance and Cooperation in the Field of Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and Response”.