27 January 2005	Thursday	16 Zilhaj 1425

BRUSSELS, Jan 26: The situation in Afghanistan topped the agenda at talks between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Wednesday.

Mr Aziz is the first Pakistani leader to visit Nato headquarters in Brussels. He has been in Brussels since the beginning of the week for talks with senior European Union policymakers and the Belgian government leaders.

The premier's discussions with Alliance secretary-general focused on the their shared commitment to security in Afghanistan, Nato diplomats told Dawn. No official statement was made by either side.

But in talks with EU officials earlier in the week, Mr Aziz said Pakistan was committed to a strong, stable and economically vibrant Afghanistan. Nato its part is set to expand the presence of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the west of Afghanistan. The Alliance has also said it will bring additional forces into Afghanistan to support upcoming national assembly elections in the country.