News

On 9 July Lithuania was the first among the European Union countries leading Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan to receive financing from the European Commission for the program designed to strengthen provinces in Afghanistan in the areas of rule of law and the implementation of the principles of good governance.

 The project “Strengthening capacities of Afghanistan’s national police in rural localities in Ghor province”, which is estimated at almost 1,73 million Lt, will continue the program of  police training and provision of technology and equipment in Ghor province financed by Lithuania and started in 2006. It is intended to buy criminal investigation equipment for ten regional police divisions and train officers to use it, build nine police stations and equip policemen with motorcycles. The scope of the project also includes a training visit of three highest-ranking police officers to the Police Department of Lithuania.

Lithuania has undertaken the responsibility for the reconstruction and development of one of the most isolated and deprived provinces in Afghanistan, which receives least support. Every effort to support or attract the finances of international community to the province is highly valued by the local people and the administration of the province.

In 2007 Lithuania allotted 4 million Lt to finance the reconstruction and development projects in Ghor province. The financing was allotted to elementary education program in remote villages, based on similar principles as Lithuanian parish schools in the 19th century and building schools with local materials employing the communities. Together with UNICEF it is planned to vaccinate about 20 thousand children at the age of two years and 10 thousand pregnant women. It is also intended to finance the program of strengthening capacities of Ghor administration.