Representatives from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party met with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Monday, concluding a series of meetings focused on imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s recent call for dialogue and disarmament.
The DEM delegation included co-chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, parliamentary deputy speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder and deputy group chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit. They were received by a high-level AKP delegation led by deputy chair Efkan Ala, party spokesperson Ömer Çelik and deputy group leaders Abdullah Güler and Özlem Zengin. The closed-door meeting lasted about one hour and 45 minutes, with AKP’s Abdullah Güler describing the discussion as friendly and sincere. A detailed evaluation would follow later, he noted.
Following the meeting, Hatimoğulları underscored the importance of opening direct communication channels between Öcalan and his organisation, emphasising this step as indispensable for meaningful progress toward peace negotiations. DEM Party representatives also raised their expectations for a positive message from Öcalan during the upcoming Newroz festival.
Bakırhan strongly condemned the recent airstrike on Kobani (Kobanê), in which nine civilians, including seven children, were killed. He described the attack as a serious provocation deliberately aimed at undermining the ongoing peace efforts and escalating tensions. Bakırhan directly warned President Erdoğan, emphasising the critical importance of conducting a transparent and thorough investigation to swiftly identify, hold accountable, and prosecute those responsible. He further highlighted that failure to address this incident could severely harm the credibility and continuation of the peace process.
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DEM Party’s latest AKP talks follow previous consultations with opposition parties, including the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), Labour Party (EMEP), Workers’ Party of Turkey (TIP), Felicity Party (Saadet), and Future Party (Gelecek), as well as an earlier constructive meeting with AKP’s coalition partner, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The discussions form part of broader efforts following Öcalan’s recent call for disarmament and renewed dialogue aimed at sustainable peace in Turkey.
