Afghanistan Dominates Summit

Premier David Cameron has been busy with international relations this week - some more fractured than others.

The Prime Minister and President Zardari of Pakistan are today trying to patch up their clear differences in formal talks at Chequers and will try to smooth tensions after the PM's comments that elements in Pakistan promoted terrorism - specifically in Afghanistan.

Today's formal meeting comes on foot of Thursday night's dinner when Mr Zardari was Mr Cameron's guest at a private dinner at the country residence.

No 10 said that topics for discussion would include counter-terrorism co-operation, the NATO campaign in Afghanistan and trade.

However, all eyes will be on the men's body language as they emerge from today's mini-summit as Mr Cameron caused anger in Pakistan last week when, during a trip to India, he said elements in Pakistan should not be allowed to "promote the export of terror whether to India, whether to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the world".

This week, Mr Cameron continued to stand by his comments but Mr Zardari said he would personally challenge him over the remarks during his visit.

Mr Zardari is also said to be under intense pressure to show he can talk tough to the British PM as a means of justifying his absence from his country, at a time when devastating floods have caused a national tragedy.

Meanwhile, and less controversy, the PM also travelled to Rome to meet his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi.

Busy Mr Cameron held a working dinner with the Italian Prime Minister on Thursday where discussions focused on the economy, trade and commerce links between the two countries, as well as co-operation in Afghanistan.

Following the meeting a Downing Street spokesperson said: "They discussed the next steps on the road to a strong and sustained European economic recovery.

"The leaders welcomed each others' fiscal plans and agreed on the importance of galvanising trade and investment between the UK and Italy.

"They also agreed to work together to reduce regulation at EU-level and support small business."

However, the statement continued: "The discussion also covered foreign affairs.

On Afghanistan the leaders agreed that continued training of the Afghan security forces was vital to the success of the strategy.

"They also agreed to co-ordinate efforts on the Middle East, including implementation of EU sanctions on Iran and encouraging a move to direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians."

The Prime Minister also updated Prime Minister Berlusconi on his visit to Turkey and the leaders agreed to continue to make the case for Turkish accession to the European Union.

(BMcC/CD)