Leaders from the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized powers urged Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday to step up counter-terror operations on their joint border.

The leaders underlined in a summit statement that alleviating poverty are essential to fight terrorism and both countries need to make efforts to fight poverty in the volatile region.

"Strong private sector growth and economic development are essential to combating terrorism, creating legitimate employment opportunities and fostering democracy," it said.

G8 members group the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Russia.

The G8 summit concluded Friday on the northern German Baltic resort of Heiligendamm.

Source: Xinhua