"I would like to thank you for sharing your long experience with Afghan soldiers. Your professionalism and dedication are highly appreciated by both, our Afghan and our coalition partners. It makes me happy to know that through your hard work we are able to commit the security of Afghanistan to the Afghan National Security Forces and I am certain they will succeed in protecting it," Olekas said in an address to the Lithuanian soldiers.
The minister also met with General John F. Campbell, Commander of the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) NATO and partner nations' efforts of ensuring security and stability in Afghanistan, who praised Lithuanian forces' professionalism. The minister and the RSM Commander discussed further Lithuania's involvement in Afghanistan. "The number of Lithuanian military personnel in Afghanistan will soon decrease with the conclusion of the mission of the Lithuanian Special Operations Forces Squadron. Nevertheless, Lithuania will continue actively contributing to the training of the Afghan National Security Forces. Our staff officers and logistics specialists will also remain in Afghanistan until the completion of the Resolute Support Mission," Minister Olekas said at the meeting.
Later the minister met with acting Defence Minister of Afghanistan Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai. Olekas introduced to his Afghan counterpart Lithuania's plans of supporting the Afghan National Security Forces and further engagement of Lithuania soldiers in the NATO-partner nations' efforts of ensuring security and stability in Afghanistan, the Resolute Support Mission. "Even a part of Lithuania's military personnel are done with their tasks in southern Afghanistan in a month, we are ready to continue appointing our staff officers for completing assignments to Herat and Kabul."
While in Herat, the minister also met with Brig. Gen. Michele Risi, Command of the Train Advise Assist Command West (TAAC-W). The Minister and the Commander discussed Lithuania's plans of further appointing staff officers for completing tasks in Herat.
Olekas is accompanied by Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, HE Rokas Bernotas, representatives of the Lithuanian Parliament Arminas Lydeka and Arturas Skardzius, and representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defence on his visit in Afghanistan.
The minister's delegation also includes Jurgis Didziulis, a Lithuanian musician who performed for Lithuanian soldiers serving in Afghanistan. "Music and songs is a way of expressing gratefulness for the soldiers' service as well as high regard and great trust," Jurgis said.
