KABUL - Turning down concerns about sacrificing achievements for peace with the Taliban, President Ashraf Ghani assured the past 13-year gains would not be compromised in the peace negotiations.

In his speech at the inauguration of the fifth and last year of the current Parliament, Ghani emphasized on the immediate start of peace talks with the Taliban, something he believed is a good opportunity for Afghanistan's peace stability.

"We will decisively defend Afghanistan's gains that were achieved under the leadership of Hamid Karzai," Ghani said, emphasizing peace was unachievable through war. "We do not want a peace that will cost the lives of our people."

He declared that a regional perspective had been created for Afghanistan's peace, which, he insisted, was a hope for Afghanistan's peace.

"The environment has changed in the region and Islamic countries, and this change has brought us hope. But one thing we should keep in our minds is that reaching peace needs tactics, therefore we have held consultative meetings in this regard and we will continue that."

Ghani stated that over 450 religious scholars from more than 117 countries gathered few days ago in Saudi Arabia where they discussed the factors behind terrorism and extremism and the misuse of Islam.

However, the speaker of the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of the Parliament) emphasized on the transparent and unhidden talks with the Taliban.

"These days, optimistic messages about peace talks are coming from political gatherings, but because of increased insecurity and insurgency in the country, the issue is uncertain," Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said.

Ghani, however, kept insisting on achieving peace through dialogues, saying peace was his target through peaceful ways.

"This target cannot be achieved by shedding the blood of our innocent citizens," he said, warning that if the process does not start, those who ignored the sacrifices made by the people of Afghanistan would be responsible for the consequences. (Tolonews)