On March 10 EU Special Representative and Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Afghanistan Vygaudas Ušackas and a delegation paid a visit to the base of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Ghor province. Among other delegates V. Ušackas was accompanied by Ambassador of Poland Maciej Lang and Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan during his visit in Ghor. The visit was conducted to have a closer look at the activities undertaken by the Lithuanian-led PRT and its partners as well as at the present-day security situation in the region, to meet with the new Governor of Ghor, and to deliver congratulations to Lithuanian military on the Independence Day of Lithuania.
During the visit commander of the military component of the PRT Col Remigijus Baltrėnas presented to the delegation the multinational structure of the PRT, international partners in fulfilling tasks in Ghor province, key threats and challenges. In the meeting the guests were briefed on the PRT's tasks with the focus on ensuring security and creating conditions for the civilian element to complete development cooperation projects in the region, on cooperation with local security forces and local administration in fulfilling the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program in the province.
Leading officers of the Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (POMLT) and the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) also presented their activity and tasks in the region and an overview of cooperation with Afghan National Police (ANP) officers.
Head of the EU Delegation in Afghanistan and Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan discussed development cooperation activities, current challenges and possibilities to fulfill new projects in the province with Head of the civilian component of the PRT Eugenijus Vaicekauskas, Development Cooperation Advisor of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan Evaldas Galvanauskas and representative of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in the PRT Jason Chau.
At the PRT base EU Ambassador V. Ušackas also met with Governor of Ghor Dr. Abdullah Heiwad, and later in the day paid a visit to the Governor's Office with PRT representatives and his delegation where they had the chance to take part in a local Shura (meeting) and communicate with members of local community.
Ambassador and Governor discussed security cooperation among PRT, partner group, and Afghan National Security Forces, collective activity of the PRT civilian element and local administration in completing development cooperation projects, and future plans of reconstructing the province. Governor presented to EU Ambassador the present security situation as well as objectives and challenges of the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program in the province. He accentuated that reaching the set goals requires a lot of effort and support from international partners.
„We make joint efforts with the PRT in ensuring security in the province and enabling development and welfare by providing security and favorable environment. Our success is the success of PRT, and vice versa," said Governor of Ghor.
„European Union is interested to have Afghanistan standing firmly on its feet as soon as possible. Therefore success of the reintegration and peace process and ensuring peace in the country is crucial", said Vygaudas Ušackas. During the visit EU Ambassador attended a mass at the PRT's chapel. Later he met with the PRT's Lithuanian military personnel, congratulated them on the Independence Day and wished strength and endurance for the service members and their families while conducting the noble mission.
PRT-12 is manned on the basis the Great Lithuanian Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion which provides personnel for a half-year mission in Afghanistan for a second time.
The Lithuanian-led PRT in Ghor is a joint civilian-military mission, a part of NATO's ISAF that was launched in Ghor in summer of 2005. The main task of the mission is to help Government of Afghanistan to extend authority in the province, ensure security and create environment for provincial reconstruction.
Representatives of Denmark, Georgia, Japan, USA, and Ukraine are deployed for service at the base of the Lithuanian-led PRT together with Lithuanian personnel. The team of the EU Police Mission (EUPOL) in Afghanistan is based at the PRT camp and includes Ukrainian and Finish representatives along with the Lithuanian personnel.
Article and pictures by: PIO for PRT-12 Capt Ainaras Jonaitis.
