PRATICA DI MARE (Italy), May 28: The Nato-Russia Council urged India and Pakistan at its first meeting to reduce tensions and resume talks to avoid a conflict, Nato Secretary General George Robertson said on Tuesday.

“The presidents and prime ministers strongly urge both sides to de-escalate and to resume talking together so that their problems can be resolved peacefully,” Robertson said in

a statement following the inaugural meeting of the joint council.

“All 20 nations here share a deep common concern about the situation and its risks, not just for that region but the world.”

Vladimir Putin, president of new Nato partner Russia, will hold meetings with EU leaders in Moscow “in the next couple of days” that will issue a similar message, he said.—AFP