Russia and NATO have signed a deal allowing the alliance to use Russian land to deliver non-lethal supplies to troops in Afghanistan. The agreement was signed during the NATO-Russia summit in Bucharest.

The two sides agreed supplies will cover everything from food to specific military equipment.

NATO initially sought troops and air transit arrangements, but the agreement signed does not involve this. However, the deal shows a degree of co-operation between the two sides.

The agreement was signed by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the NATO Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

“In the framework of practical co-operation I think we saw an interesting example in the sense that Russia and NATO have embarked upon common joint efforts to help Afghanistan. Early this morning, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and I signed a transit agreement in support of the ISEF mission. That means that non-lethal and military goods for ISEF can be transported through Russian territory,” Scheffer said.