A senior member of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, Pervin Buldan, has confirmed that a new phase has begun in the country’s peace dialogue, following a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday.
Speaking to Medya Haber TV on Friday, Buldan, who also serves on the İmralı Delegation — a group named after İmralı Island, where imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is held — said the meeting marked a significant turning point. It was the first time Erdoğan formally received the delegation at his presidential complex in Ankara, rather than the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters.
“This demonstrates that Erdoğan, as President, is directly involved in this process,” Buldan stated.
The talks, which lasted one hour and twenty-five minutes, were described by participants as positive and constructive. Buldan explained that alongside Erdoğan, other members of the presidential team shared their perspectives during the meeting. Both sides exchanged information and discussed steps needed to strengthen democratic politics as a foundation for sustainable peace.
Key issues included potential improvements to the conditions of Abdullah Öcalan and discussions around new legal reforms. The delegation raised concerns over the situation of seriously ill prisoners and individuals whose sentences have been extended. Buldan stressed that while no specific timetable was agreed, there was consensus that progress would need to come through gradual, coordinated steps.
She underlined the need for the Turkish Parliament to play a central role in the peace process, saying: “It is ultimately in parliament where this matter will be resolved. A mechanism is needed in which all parties, including all opposition parties, can take part.”
Buldan also revealed plans for a meeting next week between the İmralı Delegation and Turkey’s Minister of Justice to discuss legal changes. This would include reviewing proposed legislation and exchanging views on how to move forward. A subsequent visit to İmralı Island for direct talks with Öcalan is anticipated, though no date has been set. According to Buldan, the visit to İmralı to meet Öcalan is expected to take place after the meeting with the Justice Minister.
The recent engagement follows Abdullah Öcalan’s call for dialogue and reconciliation in late February, which had revitalised the long-stalled peace process. While momentum was briefly halted following the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March, the 10 April meeting is seen as restoring movement to the talks.
The DEM Party has been at the centre of efforts to resume negotiations aimed at ending decades of conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish groups. Its leaders continue to advocate for a political settlement, greater democratic freedoms, and improved human rights conditions, particularly for Öcalan and other prisoners.
Buldan said she believes the public will soon feel the impact of these renewed discussions. “I genuinely believe that these steps will be taken in a way that people will soon see and feel,” she explained.
