BRUSSELS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- NATO foreign ministers expressed continued support to Afghanistan in a statement on Friday.

Welcoming Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's proposed peace talks, the statement called Afghan parliamentary and presidential elections due in 2018 and 2019 respectively "essential for peace".

Foreign ministers also called on regional actors to play a constructive role.

"NATO will continue to provide the support that the Afghan government has requested so we can help Afghanistan fully provide for its own security," they said.

NATO reaffirms its commitment to the development of the Afghan security and defense forces through the Resolute Support Mission.

NATO decided last November to increase its training mission in Afghanistan, from 13,000 to 16,000 troops.