KABUL, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The government-backed Afghanistan Peace Consultative Board (APCB) has advocated for talks between the government and the Taliban, a statement of the Presidential Palace said.
The statement comes amid intensifying efforts by Afghanistan's neighbor states to support the Afghan-led peace process, encouraging the Taliban to hold talks with the Afghan government.
A trilateral meeting among Afghanistan, Pakistan and China held in Kabul on Dec. 15 agreed to enhance trilateral efforts to bring about peace in Afghanistan and fight against terrorism in the region.
Similarly, a U.S. delegation held a meeting with the Taliban representatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, according to media reports and Taliban sources.
Taliban militants, in the talks, discussed swap of prisoners, withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and formation of an interim government, according to media reports.
APCB in its meeting on Monday with President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on chair emphasized that holding meetings between government and the Taliban representatives can help find negotiated settlement to the country's prolonged conflict, said the statement of the Presidential Palace.
An Afghan government negotiating team led by Abdul Salam Rahimi has arrived in UAE capital Abu Dhabi to initiate talks with the Taliban, according to media reports.
However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Majahid in contact with media has rejected holding any talks with the government.
Meanwhile, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Monday that the government is the only authorized institution to negotiate for a peace deal with the Taliban, local media reported Tuesday.
