Border security remains a key issue in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan [AFP]

Khursheed Kasuri said on Thursday he had sought help in a plan announced last week by Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president.
 
Musharraf said Pakistan had begun preparations to fence seven or eight locations along its northwest border, stretching 35km.
 
Kasuri said plans to mine the border as well as fence it were abandoned by the government "as a mark of respect to the sensitivity of our European colleagues". 

"For the time being we will only fence it in certain areas, but I've asked the minister today for the European Union's co-operation in fencing and in better regulating the border," he said, after meeting with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s foreign minister.

Germany currently holds the EU presidency.

Assistance sought

Kasuri said Pakistan would welcome assistance in building the fence or in aerial monitoring of the border, but gave no other details.

"We are looking for all sorts of help," he said, adding that he had also asked for assistance in the repatriation of refugees in order to reduce the size of the border camps "in which all sorts of people find easy refuge."

Steinmeier said the two had talked about "possibilities to improve the border situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan", but did not elaborate.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have affected by Afghan allegations that a recent surge in the Taliban-led uprising is due to sanctuary afforded to fighters inside Pakistan.

Islamabad, a former backer of the Taliban, denies allegations that its intelligence agencies still give tacit support to the fighters.

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