11:18 GMT, November 25, 2009 Defence Attachés accredited to Lithuania met at MoND to address international defence cooperation of Lithuania, activities and plans of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT. Transport Vice Minister Ar?nas Štaras introduced to the Defence Attachés the opportunity to transport shipments for the NATO operation in Afghanistan via Lithuania.

According to the Vice Minister, infrastructure of Klaip?da Seaport and Lithuanian railways could serve for transportation of freights to Afghanistan.

Two land routes are used to this moment to supply NATO's ISAF operation in Afghanistan - over the Pakistan's territory, and via the Baltic seaports, and territories of Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Starting with this year Germany is sending shipments to Afghanistan by Klaip?da Seaport and by Lithuania's territory via Lithuanian railways.

Lithuania has been a part of NATO's ISAF operation since 2003. In 2005 Provincial Reconstruction Team - joint military-civilian mission under ISAF - of Ghowr, province of Afghanistan, was launched under Lithuania's responsibility. Special Operations Squadron of the Lithuania Armed Forces is also deployed to ISAF operation.

Currently 29 Defence Attaché represent interests of 30 countries in Lithuania.