Lithuania hosts seminar to discuss transport logistics for Afghanistan
The NATO Transport Group for Inland Surface Transport (TG IST) held its seminar from 24-26 April, in Vilnius, Lithuania. The seminar, which focused on lines of communications for ISAF and on wider inland surface transport developments in Asia, was hosted by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his opening address, the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Evaldas Ignatavičius stressed the key importance of NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and the use of civil transport and logistic assets to support the Alliance’s operation in Afghanistan.
The seminar was well-attended by senior civil experts, NATO civil and military staffs, representatives from Allied and partner nations, including high-level participation from Pakistan. It analysed transport infrastructure (IST) in Afghanistan, its neighbouring countries and all other nations that offer potential lines of communication in support of ISAF redeployment, by considering all modes of surface transport in a holistic approach.
The seminar examined the major operational and logistics challenges posed by ISAF redeployment and provided a range of practical options in support of NATO military planners, for example redeploying cargo from Afghanistan to Lithuania using railroads.
“The seminar, deemed a success by participants, focused on a range of practical issues and challenges,” said the TG IST Chair, Mr Franz-Josef Schneiders. “Its value-added is that it reinforced the importance of using civil assets and civil-military cooperation in support of NATO objectives and missions,” he added.