Following a goodwill meeting on Wednesday, the leaders of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic (DEM) Party stressed that a healthy dialogue between opposition parties was critical for democracy, parliamentary productivity, and social peace in the country.
🔴 Turkey's opposition leaders unite in a call for inter-party dialogue to promote democracy, and together make head way towards solving the raft of challenges faced in the country.#DemocraticProcess | #DEMparty | #CHP | @TulayHatim | @tuncerbakirhan
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The meeting, held at the DEM party headquarters, saw Tuncer Bakırhan and Tülay Hatimoğulları, co-chairs of the DEM party, and CHP leader Özgür Özel discuss a range of issues plaguing Turkey, from economic problems to political and social issues.
“In this period of intense challenges, there is a need for more dialogue and negotiation among the opposition parties,” said Bakırhan. “We hope that in the days to come, the political parties in Turkey will continue to expand the process of dialogue and negotiation. In this endeavour, we extend a hand of welcome to them.”
Özel echoed Bakırhan’s sentiments, stressing the essential nature of dialogue for the overall good of the nation. “At every stage of my previous duties in Parliament, I have emphasised that dialogue between political parties is essential for the country’s democracy, the productivity of Parliament and social peace in this country. It is indispensable,” he said.
Özel said they had not been able to pay a goodwill visit to the DEM party because of the intensity of their recent congress. However, Wednesday’s meeting provided an opportunity to exchange congratulations and wishes for success.
“We believe that this dialogue, this meeting, will contribute significantly to Turkish democracy,” Özel added.
Hatimoğulları also expressed hope for the future, saying: “What we long for is an open path for dialogue between all political parties in Turkey, which should serve as a model for democracy.”
The leaders were optimistic that continued dialogue between political parties will play a key role in the search for effective and collaborative solutions to the many challenges facing Turkey today.
