"Let me express gratitude to your soldiers and your country for the continued support to the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan. Lithuania's contribution is of extreme importance to the success of the mission in Afghanistan, "- write General John R. Allen, Commander of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and Lieutenant General Williams B.Caldwell, Commander of NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan in the letter to the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius.
Commander of the Training Mission in Afghanistan says that lessons learned from the Soviet occupation and efforts of the parties involved helped NATO Training Mission to adapt a new approach based on teamwork and transparency. He also stresses that Lithuania is a very important member of team contributing to the multinational forces, which consist of 33 troop-contributing countries and 17 countries providing wide range of equipment and financial support.
"Today supported by 50 countries Afghanistan is in the process of building of its security capabilities, country's armed forces and police become more professional. The results are obvious - such results would not be achieved without international partners, such as Lithuania ", - writes the NATO Training Mission Commander. According to Lieutenant General W. Caldwell Lithuanian military instructors contributing to training of Afghanistan helicopter pilots play an important role in this NATO mission.
In the letter commanders of NATO forces in Afghanistan speak about significant changes in Afghanistan forces after 2009, when NATO Training Mission was started, hints at plans to expand this mission. Cooperation with the international community, including Lithuania will be continued to ensure that after withdrawal of NATO forces from the country, Afghanistan land force, air force and police would be able to defend country's sovereignty, to ensure the safety of people, and provide assistance in cases of natural and other disasters.
