On March 21, in Kabul Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Arvydas Pocius met with Commander of the Special operations Forces of the International Security Assistance Force's (ISAF) operation in Afghanistan Brig Gen Mark Smethurst.
During the meeting military commanders discussed security situation in the country, the transfer of security onto local administration process ongoing in the country and the role and tasks of the special operations forces in the process.
Brig Gen M. Smethurst emphasized that he appreciated the input of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces in ensuring stability in the least safe regions of Afghanistan as well as the support in training local police officers. The Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Squadron has been deployed to the NATO operation since 2007.
Later Chief of Defence met with Deputy Commander of the NATO International Joint Command Maj Gen Javier Cabeza Taberne and discussed the transfer of security process which is in progress in the province. The process was introduced in Chaghcharan, capital of Ghor province, and the surrounding area early this year. In the meeting the commanders also discussed the future perspectives of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Ghor.
On Tuesday Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen A. Pocius also conducted a short meeting with Special Representative and Head of the Mission of the European Union in Afghanistan Vygaudas Ušackas and Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan Justinas Bakūnas.
