PRTs to operate in Afghanistan only temporarily

Prague, Jan 25 (CTK) - The provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) should only be a temporary solution to the development of Afghan infrastructure and be replaced by standard humanitarian and development aid after peace and stability are achieved in Afghanistan, Czech Defence Minister Martin Bartak said Monday.

PRTs are an important instrument to gain confidence of Afghan citizens in international forces, he told a conference on PRTs held in Prague that will last till Wednesday.

Bartak pointed out that cooperation of civilian experts on reconstruction and troops providing for the safety of the reconstruction operations is a crucial part of PRT activities.

A Czech PRT has operated in the Logar province, southeast of Kabul, since March 2008.

Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Helena Bambasova said the ambition of PRTs is not to solve all the local problems but to leave Afghanistan as soon as it becomes a safe and stable country.

The international conference on PRTs, in which some 150 experts participate, is organised by the upper house of Czech parliament, the Czech foreign and defence ministries, and the Prague embassies of the United States, Afghanistan and Denmark.

On Thursday, a big international conference on safety in Afghanistan will open in London, with Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout attending.

The first PRT began to work in Gardez, Afghanistan, some seven years ago. At present, 26 PRTs from 18 states operate in the country.

The Czech foreign and defence ministries want to reinforce Czech participation in the renewal and stabilisation of Afghanistan.