Other events in Baltic States

This week one representative of the Lithuanian Armed Forces commenced service in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). He has been delegated for a one year duty period by request of the United Nations, reports LETA/ELTA the Ministry of National Defence.

The Lithuanian military representative was appointed to serve in a Military Advisory Team (MAT) which is responsible for providing military assessment and advice to UNAMA and collaboration with provincial agencies of authority of Afghanistan provinces and that way contributes to strengthening security institutions.

Given that the mission is of an advisory nature, the Lithuanian officer will not be involved in combat actions.

Lithuania's appointment of a military officer to the UN-led mission in Afghanistan recommenced our country's contribution to the UN's peacekeeping operations. Last time Lithuania contributed to a UN mission by assigning a military officer to the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) in June-August of 2012.

UNAMA was launched in 2002 by a resolution of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

As NATO cuts operational capabilities deployed to Afghanistan under the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), UN contribution grows in significance in providing assistance to Afghanistan in continuing with reforms, reconstructing security and stability.

Approximately 100 military members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces continue serving in Afghanistan after the closure of Lithuania's largest and the first independent military mission – Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) of Ghor province, part of ISAF, and the withdrawal of troops from the province of Ghor late this August: Special Operations Squadron is deployed in southern Afghanistan, Lithuanian-led Air Mentoring Team training Afghan helicopter pilots, National Support Element providing logistic support to Lithuanian military in Afghanistan, officers serving in NATO Operational Headquarters, and Protection Team of the Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan.