ABU DHABI, June 17, 2018 (MENA) – The UAE welcomed the announcement by the Afghan government to extend ceasefire with Taliban, WAM reported on Sunday. The announcement was made on Saturday by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "The UAE supports Ghani's announcement to extend ceasefire with Taliban as well as his proposal to begin peace talks," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Government said in a statement. The ministry added that the ceasefire with the Taliban is a fundamental step to consolidate security and stability in Afghanistan. It praised the Afghan president's initiative, describing it as a brave decision that would pave the way for peace negotiations between the two sides.