October 4, Lt Gen Arvydas Pocius, Chief of Defence of Lithuania, pays a visit to Afghanistan where he is planned to meet with Lithuanian peacekeepers, and representatives of the administration of Ghor province and command of NATO operation in Afghanistan.
In a meeting with Deputy International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Commander Lt Gen James Bucknall and Deputy Commander of the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan (NTM-A) Jack Kem Lithuanian Chief of Defence will address the transfer of responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) as well as NATO's role in country when the transition is completed. Lt Gen Arvydas Pocius will discuss participation of Lithuanian soldiers in training Afghan national security and police forces with the representatives of NATO command.
Lt Gen A. Pocius will also meet with the Governor of Ghor Dr. Abdullah Heiwad.
In the Chief of Defence's delegation Member of Parliament Inga Valinskienė, Minister of Social Security and Labour Donatas Jankauskas, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys, Vice Minister Mykolas Juozapavičius, Commander of the Public Security Service under the Ministry of the Interior InnerService General Sergejus Madalovas, Military Bishop Ordinary Gintaras Grušas, representatives of other national defence, foreign affairs, and military units.
Currently Lithuania has approximately 260 troops deployed with ISAF as PRT and POMLT in Chaghcharan, ATM in Kandahar and special operations forces squadron in the south of Afghanistan. Lithuanian servicemembers are also deployed in the Air Control Party in Helmand, several Lithuanian troops conduct duty at the Regional Command West (RC-W). Logistic provision to Lithuanian troops is rendered by the National Support Element.
Chief of Defence brought gifts to the Lithuanian peacekeepers - Lithuanian bread and meat products.
The visit is expected to last till the end of the week.
Leadership of the National Defence System pays several visits per year to Lithuanian personnel on multinational deployments. Conditions are provided for MPs, Members of the Government, municipalities and other state institutions as well as journalists to join the delegation.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Capt Skomantas Povilionis, phone 00370 682 25 359
Pictures: 1st Lt P. Babilas
