Neighbors back Afghan peace overtures to Taliban

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan''s neighbors gave their backing on Tuesday to plans to reconcile with Taliban insurgents two days ahead of an international conference to set a framework for handing security over to Afghan forces.

Ministers and officials from Iran, Pakistan, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were meeting in Istanbul to a agree a common position before the London conference on Thursday.

"We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan," they said in a statement.

"We support, therefore, the Afghan national process of reconciliation and reintegration in accordance with the constitution of Afghanistan in a way that is Afghan-led and Afghan-driven," the statement said.

The backing of Pakistan and Iran is significant as they both have been accused by U.S. officials of covertly arming the Taliban and undermining peace.

"I think the Pakistan government is in a completely different position than when I first went to Pakistan three years ago," British Foreign Minister David Miliband told reporters in Istanbul.

"We''ve moved from a finger-pointing blame game toward security cooperation."

Miliband said Pakistan''s military was also on board.

COMING FROM THE COLD?

Low-level talks with the Taliban have been going on behind the scenes for years, analysts say, but there can be little progress while the insurgents believe they are winning the war.

Washington is sending an extra 30,000 troops to Afghanistan to persuade the Taliban that a military victory is not possible and force the hardline Islamists to negotiate in earnest.