LITHUANIA CALLED TO DEBATE FUTURE UN ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN
On 27 November 2012 at the UN General Assembly debate Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Lithuanian Permanent Representative to the UN, called for a continued debate on the role and responsibilities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, given a decrease is resources and reconfiguration of the UN presence.
The Lithuanian representative recalled that, in Tokyo, her country had reaffirmed its commitment to continue its political support for and assistance to Afghanistan in the run up to 2014 and beyond. Over the past seven years, Lithuania had provided about 4.5 million euros for over 170 projects in the country. Lithuania would continue assisting Afghanistan in building its administrative capacity, promoting rural development, supporting women’s empowerment and other areas, and was determined to maintain its strong support to the reform and further development of a sustainable police force and the rule of law through the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan must keep the pace of reforms,” stressed Ambassador Murmokaitė, adding that prosperity and security grew “when neighbours trust each other”. Lithuania encouraged Afghan efforts to foster regional cooperation through the Afghan-led Istanbul Initiative.
In September 2012 Lithuania hosted an international conference on “Afghanistan and the Region: Practical Approach for Sustainable Development”, where participants shared best practices and successful examples of regional Nordic-Baltic integration. One of the conclusions drawn at the conference was that free trade agreements were essential between Afghanistan and its closest neighbours.
On 28 November 2012 UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the resolution on the situation in Afghanistan. Lithuania is a traditional co-sponsor of the resolution.
Since 2005 Lithuania has been a contributing nation to ISAF and has been leading a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Afghan province of Ghor. Lithuania earmarks a major part of its developing program to assist Afghanistan. Lithuania will also support Afghan National Security Forces.
