The government of Tajikistan says it will open a new border crossing into Afghanistan, to promote trade and good relations.

A Presidential decree said the crossing would be in the Farhor region, but did not name the exact spot.

The decree said Tajik and Russian border guards should together be responsible for checking cargo.

On top of this it proposed that Tajik airlines could start flights to Farhor -- and that Farhor could receive what the decree calledforeign aircraft from across the border.

Correspondents describe the decree asintriguing.

The authorities on the Afghan side have long been pressing for more border points but progress has been slow.