İmamoğlu makes 'Kurdish issue' statement following DEM Party visit

The DEM Party delegation visited CHP's presidential candidate and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is imprisoned in Silivri Prison, along with other detained figures.

İmamoğlu released a long statement regarding the DEM Party delegation's visit, titled "The path to peace is the path of the Republic of Turkey."

Finding the visit by Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan valuable and important, İmamoğlu said, "We held a comprehensive exchange of views with the co-chairs regarding the situation in our country and region, the steps that need to be taken following the PKK's self-dissolution, the resolution of the Kurdish issue, the importance of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey—the manifestation of the national will—in this process, the encirclement of the opposition in our country through a politicized judiciary, and the state of our nation."

Continuing his statement, İmamoğlu touched upon the new resolution process referred to as a 'Terror-free Turkey' and noted the following:

"In order to end terror and conflict in a way that they will never recur, and to resolve the Kurdish issue in a manner that satisfies all our citizens, these matters must be negotiated under the guidance of the nation and the parliament, not behind closed doors.

In this context, I would like to emphasize the following: The Kurdish issue cannot be permanently resolved until our country returns to democracy and the principle of the rule of law with all its institutions and rules. A mentality that alienates opponents while trying to solve the Kurdish issue, and that deems the law of enmity against the CHP and the opposition acceptable, cannot resolve our problems permanently.

Let no one forget: Initiatives that ignore the CHP, which is Turkey's leading party, and an approach that turns a deaf ear to the voice of the nation and puts personal ambition ahead of the nation's future, will face scrutiny by our nation regarding the sincerity of the steps that need to be taken for the future of our country."

"ATATÜRK'S LEGACY SHOULD BE A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION"

İmamoğlu's statement is as follows:

"Our country and our region are passing through a critical and difficult threshold. In the second century of our Republic, we must take decisive and courageous steps both at home and abroad to protect the independence and future of our nation and to elevate Turkey to the position it deserves. The way to heal our nation's wounds lies in replacing conflict with peace, division with unity and solidarity, and replacing the poor management our country has experienced for years with a management approach that considers the nation's rights, prosperity, and future.

In this context, the visit to us at Silivri Prison last Thursday by the esteemed co-chairs of the DEM Party, Mr. Tülay Hatimoğulları and Mr. Tuncer Bakırhan, is extremely valuable and important. We held a comprehensive exchange of views with the co-chairs regarding the situation in our country and region, the steps that need to be taken following the PKK's self-dissolution, the resolution of the Kurdish issue, the importance of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey—the manifestation of the national will—in this process, the encirclement of the opposition in our country through a politicized judiciary, and the state of our nation.

Turkey entering a period free of terror and conflict will contribute greatly to peace, tranquility, our becoming a truly democratic state of law, and our progress toward a strong future in the second century of our Republic. Turkey will pass through this critical and difficult threshold of history with its head held high and strongly, guided by democracy, law, and peace. The fate of our Republic and our nation will again be determined by the will and determination of the nation; our nation will etch a democratic, strong, and prosperous Turkey into history. As we walk firmly on this path, the will that will establish, protect, and exalt the superiority of peace against conflicts in our country and region exists in the wisdom, mind, and morality of our nation, which has been a precedent for our geography for centuries.

From the second century, when the Republic of Turkey will be crowned with democracy, we must achieve the requirements of eternal brotherhood and nationhood by taking strong steps. The indestructible, unshakable democratic Republic of Turkey will carry us all to prosperous, equal, and fair days under our crescent-and-star flag. We see the principle of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World," which the great Atatürk inscribed into the essence of our state and nation, as the guarantee of a lasting peace in our country and region. This unshakable and ever-valid legacy of Atatürk is an expression of the longing for social peace, common conscience, and humane living. It should be a source of inspiration for ending the deep problems, conflicts, and wars experienced in our region.

Anatolia has been the cradle of many civilizations and states for centuries. The most successful and beautiful story in the history of our lands will be the Republic of Turkey, which has attained peace, tranquility, and prosperity. Turks and Kurds, all citizens of this country, share the same future just as we share the same past, the same state, the same homeland, and the same flag under the same roof. Our hearts speak the same language and look to the future with the same excitement. Now is the time to make every member of this beautiful nation, whose hearts beat as one, a true equal shareholder of our state. We need to regulate the issues that prevent many segments of our citizens, including Kurds, from feeling like equal shareholders of our state, and we must walk toward the future with firm steps. For the future of our state and our nation, it is of great importance that a management approach that does not drag our country into chaos, crisis, and instability, but rather carries it toward democracy, peace, and prosperity, illuminates the path of the Republic of Turkey under the guidance of the national will. This issue is Turkey's issue! The path to peace will be the path of the Republic of Turkey. The Republic of Turkey, shining like a pole star in the Middle East, will be the carrier of peace, trust, and justice.

In this regard, I believe that both the process currently underway to end terror and conflict in Turkey and the steps required to resolve the Kurdish issue around the principles of equality and a democratic Republic should be taken with a transparent and participatory will, and with urgency, around a commission to be established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. There are no conditions for peace and democracy. In order to end terror and conflict in a way that they will never recur, and to resolve the Kurdish issue in a manner that satisfies all our citizens, these matters must be negotiated under the guidance of the nation and the parliament, not behind closed doors.

In this context, I would like to emphasize the following: The Kurdish issue cannot be permanently resolved until our country returns to democracy and the principle of the rule of law with all its institutions and rules. A mentality that alienates opponents while trying to solve the Kurdish issue, and that deems the law of enmity against the CHP and the opposition acceptable, cannot resolve our problems permanently. Let no one forget: Initiatives that ignore the CHP, which is Turkey's leading party, and an approach that turns a deaf ear to the voice of the nation and puts personal ambition ahead of the nation's future, will face scrutiny by our nation regarding the sincerity of the steps that need to be taken for the future of our country.

My dear citizens,

The situation in our country and our region, the attack carried out by Israel against Iran, and the events in Syria show once again that we must follow a careful and rational regional policy. We must try to prevent the flames ignited by Israel in the region from growing, and we must support the transition process in Syria to conclude with a constitution that protects the rights of all Syrians—Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Alawites, and Druze. To prevent our region from experiencing another great catastrophe, we must decisively carry out diplomatic initiatives among regional countries that are guided by the principles of respect for territorial integrity, the rule of law, and democratic governance. In this process, it is also of great importance to act with great vigilance against threats and developments directed at us regarding our border security.

My dear nation,

In this difficult period, we are preparing our policies with determination and perseverance that will make our country a headquarters for democracy, justice, and peace, and a precedent in the Middle East. I believe that together with us, our country will successfully pass the difficult tests it faces at home and abroad and will become one of the fundamental actors of peace, justice, and stability in the Middle East, which has become a ring of fire. With all our citizens, Turks and Kurds, we will leave behind today's difficulties that shake our region through brotherhood, solidarity, and a common vision for the future. I believe this with all my heart. On this occasion, I thank the DEM Party co-chairs again for coming to visit me and sharing their valuable views, and I send my warmest regards with the longing for the day we will reunite with our nation."

News Source: 12punto