"After initiating major projects and making a relatively small contribution, Lithuania has managed to encourage and bring Afghanistan's government institutions and other donor countries together for the implementation of these projects," Ažubalis, currently on a visit to Afghanistan, has said.
Lithuanian funds were used to pave the first kilometers of Chaghcharan streets. This year, the works are being continued with the help of Japan and Afghanistan's central government.
The reconstruction of a hospital in Ghor's capital is also underway, with contributions being made by Lithuania, Greece and Japan. The work is scheduled to be finished by 2014.
A children's day center, being built in cooperation with Afghanistan's central government, Japan and the United States, should also be finished this year. Professional training centers will be opened in the territory.
"Lithuania is currently directing funds dedicated to the reconstruction of Afghanistan's Ghor province to strengthening administrative capabilities of local authorities and non-governmental institutions, healthcare, education and increasing agricultural efficiency," the ministry said.
Lithuania plans to spend around 1 million litas (EUR 0.29 million) for development cooperation projects in Afghanistan in 2012. There are six other projects being implemented in Afghanistan this year and financed from Lithuania's funds allocated for development cooperation. Their total value is 560,000 litas (over EUR 162,000).
Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has allocated 15.37 million litas for 169 projects in Ghor in 2006-2011 as part of the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Program.
