News

Lithuania welcomes the decision of Afghan authorities to assume responsibility for security in eighteen  new areas of the country including the capital of Ghor Province Chagcharan.The list of the areas was announced by the President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai at the National Security Council meeting. The decision was taken to continue implementing the plans of Afghan Government to assume control of security and government of the country by the end of 2014.

The transfer of control is a process when international community gradually hands over full responsibility for the country to Afghan Government.

The transfer of control is announced when Afghan Government makes sure that in certain areas the readiness of the police and army has reached appropriate level, local authorities are able to organize governing, economic and social activities are being developed in the area.

Therefore the decision to assume control in Chagcharan also witnesses the efforts of Lithuania and other countries to restore and strengthen Ghor Province.

As Afghan police and army are gradually taking over the responsibility for security in the province Lithuanian soldiers will be able to devote more attention to training of police and military officers. Lithuania will continue development cooperation  in the areas of strengthening capacities of civil servants and non-governmental organisations, healthcare, social and economic development of the province.

The transfer of control in Ghor brings Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team closer to the end of its mission, however the exact  completion date will depend on the course of control transfer, agreements between Lithuania and other NATO International Security Assistance Force partners on the future joint actions in Afghanistan.

Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian and military mission, a part of NATO's ISAF, launched in the province in summer of 2005. The essential task of the mission is to support Afghan Government in extending its authority in the province, ensuring security and creating conditions for provincial reconstruction.

The PRT was mandated by Lithuanian Seimas to implement its mission until 31 December, 2013.