"I am very happy about this new agreement endorsed between NATO and Afghanistan. Lithuania will continue contributing to the ensurement of security and stability in the country and to the new training mission Resolute Support, and will also send troops and financial assistance in support of the Afghan National Security Forces," Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas commented on the signature of the agreement.
With Resolute Support to begin on 1 January next year, soldiers of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Squadron will continue serving in Afghanistan, staff officers will also be posted to the headquarters of the mission in Kabul and Herat. The team formed by the Military Police will continue protecting the Head of the Lithuanian Special Mission in Afghanistan. Logistic provision of all of the Lithuanian military personnel deployed in Afghanistan will continue being ensured by the National Support Element. Up to 100 Lithuanian soldiers have been planned to be deployed to Afghanistan next year.
In 2015 the Ministry of National Defence will also allocate up to LTL 1.3 million (EUR 376,000) for financing the Afghan National Security Forces.
The new NATO mission of a non-combatant character Resolute Support will focus training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces.
