“The second meeting between the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation and İmralı must conclude with a declaration that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) organisational existence has ended, that no outcome can be achieved through terror, and that this bloody chapter has been closed, without any preconditions,” said Turkey’s far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on Tuesday during his party’s group meeting in Ankara. His remarks signalled a strong nationalist stance amid ongoing talks addressing Turkey’s Kurdish question.
Bahçeli praised the recent efforts of the DEM Party delegation in their engagement with Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the PKK detained at İmralı Prison Island, but stressed that the talks must unequivocally reject the PKK’s existence. “Our absolute and uncompromising expectation is that the PKK’s end is declared without hesitation or negotiation,” he emphasised, adding, “PKK terrorists must either bury their weapons, surrender with them, or face the inevitable consequences.”
The MHP leader reiterated his party’s staunch opposition to any form of dialogue that could legitimise terrorism, declaring, “There can be no negotiation with terror, no bargaining, only a fight until it is eradicated.”
On the broader Kurdish question, Bahçeli accused external and internal actors of sowing division. “They tried to turn us against our Kurdish brothers, spreading every conceivable lie to sabotage our human, Islamic, and national ties,” he said. “We have never looked at our Kurdish brothers as ‘others’ or a problem. We have always defended, with pride, that we are all part of the Turkish nation.” He also dismissed claims of greater affection for Kurds by external actors, adding, “Those in Washington or the peshmerga in Erbil cannot love or care for you more than we do.”
Turning to regional issues, Bahçeli addressed the PKK/YPG’s presence in northern Syria, warning of dire consequences if terrorist groups remained active near Turkey’s borders. “The PKK/YPG must leave Syria, and their organisational identity must end,” he declared. “If terror persists on the banks of the Euphrates, Turkey will act, as it is our right and honour as a state to eliminate these threats under the principles of legitimate defence.”
Bahçeli also criticised Western nations for supporting terrorism under the guise of fighting ISIS, singling out the United States and France. “Their efforts to muddy the waters, support terror, and shield terrorists with excuses are neither credible nor acceptable,” he said. Referring to the Euphrates River as a symbol of unity, he added, “This river carries the hopes, faith, and historical bonds of our region, not enmity or hostility. It must be cleansed of terror.”
Domestically, Bahçeli dismissed opposition calls for early elections, accusing critics of pursuing “shallow and deceitful” politics. “There will be no early elections,” he asserted. “Turkey does not need reckless games but unity, peace, and determination to eliminate all threats to our sovereignty.”
In a closing rallying cry, Bahçeli declared, “Today is the day to stand united, to break away from division, and to rewrite history with stability. The Republic of Turkey will never allow any hostile acts to compromise our unity or its founding principles.”
After his group meeting, addressing recent political discourse, Bahçeli responded to questions from journalists about imprisoned former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş. “Numerous meetings and communications are being conducted by various representatives,” Bahçeli said, referring to developments involving the Kurdish issue. “From what we gather, the process is proceeding honourably and harmoniously. Our hope is for a terror-free Turkey, and this requires contributions from everyone,” he added.
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