News

On 5 March the Head of Lithuania‘s Special Mission to Afghanistan and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Birutė Abraitienė presented credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Rangin Dadfar Spanta. “Lithuania strongly supports the efforts of people of Afghanistan to re-establish the state and this determination of Lithuania is proved by its assistance in implementation of Afghanistan’s development projects, which is four times bigger this years compared to the last year,“ said the Head of Lithuania’s Special Mission B.Abraitienė, presenting Lithuania’s support to Afghanistan, as well as completed and planned activities.

According to B.Abraitienė, Lithuania as a donor state stands alongside with the states of the world, which believe that global effort can help to relieve famine, reduce poverty, social disparities and enmity.

Lithuania helps the people of Afghanistan in Ghor province. Since June 2005 Lithuania heads the Provincial Reconstruction Team, established by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). In July 2005  Lithuanian Special Mission was established. It strengthened civil activities and implementation of civil projects in Ghor province of Afghanistan.

The Head of Special Mission B.Abraitienė also met with the Minister of Counter Narcotics of Afghanistan Habibullah Qaderi and Deputy Minister General Khodaidad. During the conversation they discussed possible means for combating the illicit narcotics trade, which is directly related to financing of the Taliban and spread of corruption in recent years in Afghanistan.

During the meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs Ahmad Moqbel Zarar, B.Abraitienė discussed recent challenges of police reform, strengthening the police force in Ghor province and possibilities for Lithuania to contribute to the education and training of police officers, as well as optimization of the police force institutions.