NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on Thursday pledged to work with Pakistan to fight terrorism and extremism that pose a threat in the region.
"Pakistan and NATO share common strategic objectives," said Scheffer at a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Islamabad.
Scheffer said there is need for Pakistan and NATO to jointly " tackle terrorism effectively".
Scheffer said NATO respects Pakistan's sovereignty, but reserves right to retaliate if fired upon from the Pakistani side of border, reported Xinhua.
"A secure and stable Afghanistan is vital to Pakistan," Scheffer said.
Scheffer also expressed his gratitude for the Pakistani army to secure NATO supply routes from Pakistan and Afghanistan, which has been suspended several times due to local militants' attacks.
Scheffer arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on a two-day visit. He met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari early Thursday on the regional situation and security along the Afghan border.
NATO, now leading the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) of an international force of some 55,100 troops, is assisting the Afghan authorities in extending and exercising its authority and influence across the country. Enditem
