U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed support for peace talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban and has praised the Afghan government’s efforts to reconcile with the Taliban.
The White House says Obama made the remarks during a video conference on July 22 with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and praised the Afghan leader for promoting the peace process.
The two leaders also spoke about U.S. efforts to advise and strengthen Afghanistan's military and to counter terrorist threats.
The White House says Obama also note progress by the government in Kabul on fighting corruption and improving Afghanistan’s economy.
Afghan officials and Tailban representatives met for their first official talks on July 7 in Pakistan.
On July 15, a statement in the name of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar recognized those peace talks as “legitimate,” saying that the goal of the process is an “end to occupation” by foreign forces.