WASHINGTON - The United States welcomed the formation of a joint military working group by Afghanistan and Pakistan to address recent incidents along the border.
"We call on both sides to continue to engage cooperatively to lower tensions on the border and to ensure the protection of the local population in the border regions," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement.

Nuland said last year has been one of real progress in the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. She said that the signing and implementation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement and the formation of the Joint High Peace Commission are just two examples of the positive and mutually beneficial advances in the countries' bilateral relationship.
"We hope that the joint working group will continue this record of productive, diplomatic engagement," Nuland said.