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Mr. President, Let me start by thanking our German colleagues for their excellent work on the resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, which my delegation has cosponsored. Lithuania aligns itself with a statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. We welcome the successful conclusion of the Brussels Conference in October this year. It renewed the partnership for prosperity and peace between the Government of Afghanistan and the international community, and endorsed the Afghan Government’s ambitious reform agenda. Our collective commitment to Afghanistan over the next four years is critical to ensure that Afghanistan stays on the path to political and economic stability.

The unity of the country’s leadership and broad consensus are key to continuing much needed reforms, fighting corruption, strengthening the protection of human rights, reforming the electoral process, combating trafficking and tackling displacement and refugees problem.

The latest UNODC report and Afghanistan Opium Survey point to a reversal in efforts to tackle illicit drugs. Since 2015, estimated opium production increased by 43 percent. Given the impact on development, health, and security, this is a serious cause for alarm and a rallying call for more vigorous action.

Mr. President,

Building Afghanistan’s future requires inclusive engagement of all actors, including women. Women are increasingly involved in decision making processes. We welcome the progress achieved so far, including the reintroduction of a 25 per cent quota for women in parliament. Progress, however remains uneven due to limited institutional capacity, security situation in Taliban- controlled areas, as well as a lingering culture of impunity. Women activists continue to be threatened, targeted and killed. Physical punishment and even executions of women still happen under the pretext of so-called “moral crimes”.

Further progress is needed in the implementation of National Strategy on the Elimination of Violence against Women and other relevant legislation, as well as the National Action Plan on SC Resolution 1325. 

My delegation remains concerned about the situation of journalists and other   media workers. Afghanistan has made notable progress in this sphere, yet the country is still among the top ten most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist. Over the past year, the Taliban have assailed journalists with threats and assaults, bombings and kidnappings. A local journalist was beheaded.

Freedom of expression and information are integral parts of the democracy that Afghanistan is building with great sacrifice. We encourage the Afghan authorities to strengthen their efforts to investigate attacks against journalists and related media workers and bring the perpetrators to account.

Mr. President,

My delegation welcomes the peace agreement signed by the Afghan Government and High Peace Council with Hezb-e Islami (HIG) on 26 September and supports its efforts to engage with all armed groups without preconditions.  However, as others have noted, the overall security situation remains worrying. Last year saw 11,000 civilian casualties, and the number is expected to be even higher this year. One in four of the casualties are children. In the first eight months of 2016 alone, Afghan forces saw more than 5,500 of their own killed. 

Just lately, within the span of a week, the Taliban attacked the German consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, killing at least four and wounding 120; and the largest US military base in Afghanistan. A magnetic "sticky bomb" exploded under the vehicle in Kabul near the Ministry of Higher Education. A suicide bomber struck a government vehicle in an attack claimed by the ISIL. Our thoughts and condolences go to all affected by these and other atatcks.

The international community’s engagement in assisting and supporting Afghanistan’s efforts to provide security for its people could not be more important.

We welcome the agreement signed at the Warsaw NATO summit to extend the presence of  Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan beyond 2016.  Together with its allies, Lithuania continues to assist Afghanistan in building professionally trained and equipped defense and security forces. This year we contributed 0.5 million USD to Afghanistan National Army trust fund and intend to continue our support to ANA. Our military staff are providing assistance within the framework of RSM in Kabul and Herat. Lithuania welcomes EU commitment to support civilian policing in Afghanistan beyond the completion of  EUPOL mission in 2016.

A stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan is a shared priority and interest. Lithuania stands ready to continue supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to achieve this goal.