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. Lithuania to help Hungary's Afghan venture
VILNIUS (AFP) Oct 25, 2005
Lithuania is ready to help Hungary prepare to lead a NATO reconstruction team in Afghanistan, the Lithuanian defense minister said Tuesday.

"We presented all the materials related to our mission in Afghanistan and are ready to share our experience with Hungarian colleagues" Gediminas Kirkilas told AFP after meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Ferenc Juhasz.

"Hungary has in principle decided to take over one of the NATO missions in the south of Afghanistan and they plan to send a military team of experts to Lithuania for better preparation in two weeks," he added.

Kirkilas also said Lithuania is ready to organize training for Hungarian troops, if required.

Lithuania, which joined NATO last year, currently leads a NATO reconstruction team in Afghanistan's Ghor province, where some 100 Lithuanian troops are deployed.

The number of Lithuanian troops in Afghanistan is to rise to 130 by the end of the year.

This is the first time that the Baltic country is leading a NATO mission, which includes troops from older NATO members, including Britain, Denmark and Iceland.

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