The İmralı delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, consisting of MPs Pervin Buldan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder and veteran Kurdish politician and ex-political prisoner Ahmet Türk, has begun a series of meetings with political parties in Ankara following a historic visit to the imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on 28 December. The discussions are part of an effort to promote dialogue on Öcalan’s proposals for a political solution to Turkey’s long-standing problems.
Related Article :
Öcalan’s message trends in Turkey: A path towards Kurdish-Turkish reconciliation
The first meeting – with the Speaker of Parliament, Numan Kurtulmuş,- took place earlier today in a private setting in his office. The delegation described it as productive and indicated that more comprehensive statements would follow at the conclusion of their consultations.
Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Abdullah Öcalan, and Pervin Buldan photographed during their December 2013 visit to Imralı Island as part of the previous peace process.
Shortly afterwards, the delegation met with Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), in a meeting that lasted around 40 minutes. Bahçeli, who had previously suggested that Öcalan could address parliament in order to advance reconciliation efforts, posed for a photograph with the delegation and bid them goodbye. Pervin Buldan later described the talks as positive.
The DEM initiative is a continuation of Öcalan’s recent calls for dialogue, parliamentary engagement and democratic transformation. Further meetings with political parties, civil society organisations and trade unions are expected in the coming days, culminating in a comprehensive public statement outlining their findings and next steps.
Related Article :
Buldan and Önder: We are much more hopeful than before
