KABUL - The High Peace Council said on Monday that any move by the Taliban to join the negotiations process should not be perceived as the group surrendering.
The High Peace Council (HPC) said on Monday it was working on a new peace talks strategy aimed at bringing the Taliban to the peace talks tables.
HPC chairman Mohammad Karim Khalili said this was in a bid to break the stalemate but that should the Taliban join the negotiations process, this should not be seen as a move to surrender on their part.
Khalili also said the HPC was ready to listen to the Taliban’s views and recommendations and in the event of these being in the nation’s interests the council would take their points into consideration.
Meanwhile HPC secretary Mohammad Akram Khaplawak expressed hope that the new strategy would have positive implications and persuade the Taliban to endorse purposeful peace talks.
On Monday, the new HPC leadership convened their first meeting and discussed the new strategy.
“We do not see [such a move as] surrendering on the part of the Taliban when it comes to peace,” said Khalili.
HPC officials stated that the new strategy will also identify key elements of the war in the country.
“In the new strategy the High Peace Council will focus on the main aspects of the war and on bringing an end to the war,” said Khaplawak.
The HPC, which was established on 5 September 2010 by former president Hamid Karzai, works to bring anti-government militant groups to the peace talks table.
But a number of lawmakers and activists have said that since its establishment, the council has failed to make any breakthrough in bringing peace to the country.
“The peace council has failed to deliver results despite lots of money having been spent,” said MP Aryan Youn.
“The High Peace Council needs to regain the trust of the people and undertake more effective work,” said another MP, Habiburrahman Afghan.
But Khalili also vowed to revive public trust in the council and to identify their weak points. 
“We are firmly committed, our vision is to overcome weak points and instead promote our strengths,” added Khalili.
According to the HPC, the current crisis and war in Afghanistan is rooted outside the country. The council feels concerted effort needs to be made by the international community to help Afghanistan emerge from the crisis. (Tolonews)