Nato and Russia agree on transport deal

Bucharest: Nato and Russia on Friday agreed on a deal to allow the 26-member alliance to transport non-lethal supplies, including food and some military equipment, across its territory into Afghanistan.

The agreement was reached despite a tense run-up to the one-day meeting in Bucharest with Russia and some of the Nato countries butting their heads over eastward expansion plans into former Soviet Union countries, the status of Kosovo and a US-plan to base a missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland.

"We appreciate Russia's readiness to support Nato's mission in Afghanistan by facilitating transit through Russian territory. Our continued cooperation and Russia's support contribute to our common fight against terrorism," Nato said in its final communique at the end of the three-day summit .