The European Union (EU) has asked Maoist insurgents in Nepal to "end their culture of violence" and return to the negotiating table, horrified by the fresh bout of killings that took its toll on civilians.

The EU presidency issued a statement in the wake of the communist guerrillas ambushing a civilian bus in the southern district of Chitwan earlier this month, which killed 42 passengers.

The statement, released in Kathmandu by Britain, the acting chairman of the presidency, said the EU "condemns the use of violence for political ends in the strongest possible terms" since such attacks "can only set back the cause of peace in Nepal and prolong the suffering of the Nepalese people".

Urging the underground rebels to "end their culture of violence and intimidation" and stop their human rights abuses, the bloc asked them to return to the negotiating table.

It asked both the outlaws and the current government headed by King Gyanendra to "recognise that there cannot be a military solution to the conflict and instead commit themselves to a joint approach towards re-establishing dialogue and peace based on a negotiated settlement".

The EU's reiteration for a return to peace talks comes after a similar appeal last year.

An EU team visited Nepal last December, when it condemned the Maoists' "considerable human rights violations" and urged the guerrillas to renounce violence and commit themselves to democracy and human rights.

However, even on the day the statement reached Nepal, fresh skirmishes broke out between the outlaws and government forces in Kavre district in central Nepal, resulting in the death of at least 14 people.

A fierce clash in Ghartichhap village around 8 a.m. Monday left at least eight security personnel and six Maoists dead.