News

On 16 January during the second meeting of the Coordination Commission for Euro-Atlantic Security Policy Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas urged the members of the Commission to deliberate on the forms and spheres where Lithuanian institutions could contribute to reconstruction of Ghor province of Afghanistan and plan the resources for 2008. Talking about future objectives in Afghanistan and Ghor province Minister Vaitiekūnas stressed that not only several Lithuania’s institutions should be interested in the country’s participation in reconstruction of Afghanistan.

“Lithuania’s involvement in activities in Afghanistan is one of the principal international commitments of our state,” the Head of Lithuanian Diplomacy said.  

The Minister marked that Lithuania’s efforts in Afghanistan are noticed and valued by NATO, the European Union, our partners, Afghan Government and people of Ghor province.

Lithuania as a donor country constantly increases its bilateral assistance to Afghanistan, involves other states and international organisations in its projects.

Lithuanian Government plans to allocate 4 million litas (about 1,6 million euros)  for projects in Afghanistan in 2007. Lithuania also hopes to obtain finance from the European Commission that provided 10 million euros for the EU Members participating in the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

The Minister prompted the institutions to apply for participation in development projects in Afghanistan and noted that the Foreign Ministry would invite to submit project proposals for Ghor province of Afghanistan by the end of January.

“I urge Lithuanian institutions to submit projects more actively and not forget about Afghanistan when planning their finances for 2008,” Minister Vaitiekūnas said.

 In 2006 Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocated 100000 litas (about  29000 euros) to NATO ISAF Post operation humanitarian relief fund. Lithuania also allocated 200000 litas (about 58000 euros) for coping with the drought aftermaths in the Ghor province.

The meeting of the Coordination Commission was attended by Deputy Chairman Minister of Defence Juozas Olekas, representatives of the Seimas, Government, ministries and other state institutions.  The Coordination Commission is chaired by Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Petras Vaitiekūnas.