The ties between the two sides, a year after the cross- border NATO raid in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed, is now on a firmer footing, but still a lot of work is to be done, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.

"When we are in Brussels next week - I think it's on Tuesday (December 4), the Secretary (Clinton) will have a chance to meet with Foreign Minister Khar as well. The foreign minister will be in Brussels; I think she's briefing the North Atlantic Council as well on Tuesday," Nuland told reporters.