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Lithuania statement for the High-level Pledging Event on Supporting the Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan

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Leaving no one behind is a key principle of the EU's engagement in the world. Today we shall demonstrate that we stand together with the Afghan people and remain committed to continue our support.

  • The respect for fundamental rights and freedoms by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan is critical to ensuring stability and development in the country. The Talib’s threats against Afghans affiliated with former regime or with international forces, and deterioration of the fundamental rights of women and girls are in particular concern.

  • Our level of engagement with the Taliban must depend on the concrete actions of their government and any recognition of the Taliban rule must be conditioned. It is imperative to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to Afghan people without any possible legitimisation of the Taliban rule.

  • In 2005-2015 Lithuania participated in the largest NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, as well as in the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL), and has built a solid track-record of assistance to Afghanistan in a variety of fields: security, economic development, training, civil society and other.

  • Over these years, Lithuania has contributed to the principles of good governance and the rule of law, the fight against corruption, and the economic and social development of Afghanistan by allocating five million euros.

  • Lithuania's contribution to Afghanistan has been multifaceted. Since 2006, the Lithuanian development cooperation assistance focused on the development of Afghanistan’s Ghor Province. More than 200 development projects have been implemented and supported by Lithuanian state institutions, agricultural and veterinary experts, doctors, architects, engineers, civil aviation specialists, the academic community, and non-governmental organizations.

  • Since 2010 Lithuania provided more than 257 thousand euros worth humanitarian aid to Afghanistan’s people.

  • At this critical time, Lithuania stands ready to contribute to humanitarian efforts of international community by continuing resettlement of the particularly vulnerable and Afghans at risk who remained behind, and need of international protection.