Mission in Afghanistan remains main operation for Baltic states.

11/12 Tass 306

RIGA, December 11 (Itar-Tass) - Despite economic problems in the
Baltic region NATO's mission in Afghanistan remains the main military
operation for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic republic's defence
ministers said after the talks in a joint statement on Friday.

Riga, Vilnius and Tallinn supported the decision on increasing the
mission and obliged to keep their contribution at the current level.
Estonia's Defence Minister Jaak Aaviksoo told a news conference that
earlier Tallinn has already increased its military contingent to 280
servicemen and this strength will remain unchanged in the future.
His Latvian counterpart Imants Viesturs Liegis said in turn Riga has
also no plans to increase its contingent. At the same time, he stressed
that NATO's allies welcomed as positive the republic's decision to
continue participation in the mission amid the economic downturn.
Lithuania's Defence Minister Rasa Jukneviciene said last year Vilnius
built up its troops in Afghanistan.
The three top military officials discussed the reform of the Baltic
states' armed forces and their participation in international military
operations. They also focused on problems related to the patrolling of
skies over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, NATO's new strategic concept and
the issues linked with the Baltic Defence College.
Earlier, Latvia's Defence Ministry expressed concern over Russia's
intention to buy France's Mistral helicopter carrier. This issue was put
on the talks' agenda. Liegis said he would like to hold consultations on
this issue with counterparts from the Baltic states and NATO's allies.
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