Italy/Afghanistan: Leaders sign cooperation agreement

Rome, 27 jan. (AKI) - Italian prime minister Mario Monti and Afghan president Hamid Karzai have signed a partnership and cooperation agreement as Afghanistan's leader makes a tour of European capitals to hammer out relationships ahead of the planned 2014 departure of Nato troops from his country.

In the agreement signed late Thursday in Rome, Italy agreed to lend a hand in facilitating dialogue between the Karzai's government and Taliban rebels who agree to lay down their weapons, to help fight narcotics trafficking, and to collaborate economically.

The accord "contributes to further deepening the secular relationship between our countries and people," Karzai said.