The process that began with Bahçeli's call... PKK has dissolved itself: Here is what happened step by step

THE PROCESS BEGAN WITH BAHÇELİ'S CALL

The process began with the call made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli on October 22, 2024.

In his statement at his party's group meeting, Bahçeli said, "If the isolation of the terrorist leader is lifted, let him come and speak at the TBMM DEM Party Group Meeting, and proclaim that terrorism has completely ended and the organization has been abolished. If he shows this resolve and determination, the path should be opened wide for the necessary legal regulations regarding the use of the right to hope and for him to benefit from it."

Shortly after this statement, Devlet Bahçeli also called for the DEM Party delegation to be granted permission to go to İmralı.

SUPPORT FOR BAHÇELİ FROM ERDOĞAN

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made his first statement regarding the process on October 30.

Erdoğan stated that with his call regarding terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan, Bahçeli had put not just his hand, but his entire body under the stone.

Stating that MHP leader Bahçeli had charted a course for history with this call, Erdoğan expressed that a window of opportunity had opened before Turkey and thanked Bahçeli.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: WE WILL GIVE FULL SUPPORT

Following Bahçeli's call, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel had said, "We will give full support to the end of terrorism in this country."

Özel had stated, "If no more martyrs are to come in Turkey, if no more blood is to be shed, if the tears of mothers are to stop, if the tears flowing from the eyes of both Kurdish and Turkish mothers are to stop, if this country is to be one and together, if barrels are not to be pointed at the soldier, at the Mehmetçik, then every word spoken for this and every actor who speaks it is valuable."

The CHP leader had said, "Whoever says what, despite everything we have experienced in the past, we value these words."

APPLICATION FOR A MEETING WITH ABDULLAH ÖCALAN

In the process that began with Bahçeli's call, the first application to meet with terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan was made on November 26, 2024.

The DEM Party had applied to the Ministry of Justice to hold a meeting with terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı.

BAHÇELİ APPLAUDED BAKIRHAN

On December 9, 2024, during the budget negotiations in the TBMM, Bahçeli applauded DEM Party Co-Chairman Tuncer Bakırhan following his speech calling for a new beginning.

In his speech, Bakırhan had said, "In 2025, in the 103rd year of the Republic, we can make a new beginning. This Parliament has the chance to undertake the founding of a Democratic Republic. Let the honor of creating a country where 85 million feel they belong belong to this Parliament."

FIRST MEETING WITH ÖCALAN AFTER 4.5 YEARS

On December 27, 2024, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç announced that a positive response had been given to the DEM Party's request for a meeting.

One day later, DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Van Deputy Pervin Buldan, who went to İmralı, held a meeting with PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan after 4.5 years.

In the statement made by the DEM Party after the meeting, it was emphasized that the most important ground for the success of the process was the TBMM, and it was said, "It is a historical responsibility to strengthen Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood once again."

Following this meeting, the delegation held a series of further meetings in İmralı.

VISITS TO POLITICAL PARTIES BEGAN

Following this meeting, the delegation began a tour of political parties in Ankara.

The political tour of the DEM members started with TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and continued with the MHP and AKP. Finally, meetings were held with the CHP, DEVA, Saadet, and Yeniden Refah Party.

Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, and Ahmet Türk exchanged ideas with political parties, and suggestions were heard. The DEM Party delegation also shared their own ideas during the meetings.

MEETING WITH DEMİRTAŞ IN EDIRNE

The delegation continued its contacts in the first days of the new year. The address this time was Edirne.

The DEM Party İmralı Delegation met with Selahattin Demirtaş, who is imprisoned in Edirne. Making a statement after the meeting, Demirtaş thanked President Erdoğan, CHP Chairman Özel, and MHP Chairman Bahçeli.

Selahattin Demirtaş had said, "Everyone speaking on these issues should stay away from threats, blackmail, and provocative rhetoric."

NORTHERN IRAQ CONTACTS BY THE İMRALI DELEGATION

The delegation paid a visit to northern Iraq in February.

Holding contacts in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, the delegation met with Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani and Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani.

ÖCALAN'S LETTER READ ON FEBRUARY 27

When the end of February arrived, terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan's letter was read at a hotel in Istanbul.

In his letter, Öcalan called on the terrorist organization to dissolve itself. In his message, Öcalan used the expressions, "I am calling for laying down arms and I am assuming the historical responsibility of this call."

Before Öcalan's statement, the last photo taken of the terrorist organization leader on İmralı Island was shared.

MEETING AT BEŞTEPE IN APRIL

Following these statements by Öcalan, eyes turned to the expected dissolution decision.

While the process was ongoing, the DEM Party delegation met with President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in April.

The meeting held at the Palace was attended by MIT President İbrahim Kalın, AKP Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala, and Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan from the DEM Party delegation.

Önder and Buldan noted that it was a positive meeting.

It was announced that the expected PKK congress had convened. It was stated that the congress was held between May 5-7. The decisions taken at the congress were announced today. The PKK has officially dissolved itself and decided to lay down arms.