April 04, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

BUCHAREST, April 3: Nato leaders said on Thursday they wanted to deepen ties with Pakistan and strive to boost security along its porous border with Afghanistan.

In a document laying out their “strategic vision” for Afghanistan’s future, the leaders said that the conflict-torn country’s neighbours have an important role to play in helping build a better future.

They said they “look forward to deepening our engagement with Afghanistan’s neighbours, particularly Pakistan” and “support efforts to improve security and stability along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.”

The leaders also encouraged “further cooperation and intensified dialogue” between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Nato-led troops are struggling to combat a Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan, which is being controlled in part from across the mountainous southern and eastern border in Pakistani towns.—Agencies