KABUL - US ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, on Monday said there has been considerable progress in discussions on strategic partnership between Afghanistan and the United States.
Speaking at a news conference in Kabul, Mr Crocker said he was not sure when the partnership document will be signed, but expressed optimism that considerable progress had been made.
"I absolutely cannot specify when it will be signed because it's still under negotiatin but we have made considerable progress, it's a discussion between partners. The Afghan and US sides share the same goals so, it's a very constructive and positive discussion," Crocker said.

Mr Crocker emphasized on his country's commitment to supporting the Afghan people and said that the United States will not repeat the mistake of abandoning Afghanistan again.

Meanwhile, Deputy of the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Beth Jones, spoke of efforts underway to improve relations between Washington and Pakistan.

Pakistan-US relations got more strained after a recent cross-border Nato air strike killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. But the US considers relations with Pakistan very important and efforts have continued to decrease tensions between the two nations.

"The issue at the moment relates to the tragic situation that occurred on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan which is under investigation by the US military authorities," Beth Jones said.

After the recent cross border air strike, Pakistan blocked Nato troops' supply routes to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Nato recently said it cannot guarantee that similar incidents will not repeated in the Afghan war.