Lithuania defense chief meets troops in Afghanistan

  • 2013-12-18
  • From wire reports, VILNIUS

The Chief of Defense in Lithuania has met with Lithuanian soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.

Pocius met with the commander of the Afghan National Army (ANA) General Sher Mohammad Karimi, and members of the leadership of NATO's International Security Assistance (ISAF) operation, the Ministry of National Defense informs.

The defense chiefs discussed on Dec. 14-16, the security situation in the province of Ghor where a Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) completed its mission following an eight year long operation.

The PRT compound and a part of equipment that had been used by the Lithuanian military contingent was handed over to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) when the Lithuanian-led had PRT finished their service in the province.

"I am very happy that ANA along with other security forces are ensuring security in their country successfully and that we have been able to contribute to a better security situation in the province of Ghor," said General Pocius.

The Lithuanian Chief of Defense and the delegation also visited Lithuanian troops deployed to Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, in Kandahar and in Herat.

Around 100 Lithuanian soldiers are currently serving in Afghanistan.

Lithuanian officers are also carrying out duties at International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters and a National Support Element is ensuring logistic support to Lithuanians conducting service in Afghanistan.

Later, the Chief of Defense also met with Chief of Defense of Georgia Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze during a stop-by in Tbilisi. The top-ranking military commanders discussed opportunities for using Georgia's warfare training infrastructure for training Lithuanian military personnel.