Breaking News... Numan Kurtulmuş speaks at the reconciliation commission: 'We are witnessing the beginning of a new era'

The commission established in Parliament as part of the new reconciliation process, which the government calls a "Terror-Free Turkey," has convened under the chairmanship of TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş.

Parliament Speaker Kurtulmuş delivered his speech at the commission.

#LIVESTREAM Our Parliament Speaker @NumanKurtulmus is speaking https://t.co/feWTiuSGfh

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"We are witnessing the beginning of a new era," said Kurtulmuş, adding, "Our primary issue here is undoubtedly not to write a constitution, to carry out legal reform, or to solve all problems at once. It is the will to remind that the Parliament, besides being the voice of the people, is the carrier of social peace, the guarantor of brotherhood, and the legitimate address for solutions."

Kurtulmuş announced the principles of the commission as "transparency, openness, and pluralism" and stated the following:

"Informing the public about the commission's work will be carried out solely by the Office of the Parliament Speaker. Ensuring that statements that could poison the process are not given credence is also one of the primary duties of this commission."

Following his speech, Kurtulmuş gave a 10-minute break to the commission.

Highlights from Kurtulmuş's statement are as follows:

There are moments in the history of nations that shape not only that day or that moment, but also the future of nations. Today, we are in one of those days.

We all observe that a historic turning point has been reached to get rid of the scourge of terrorism that has plagued our nation for half a century. Just as our nation has acted in unity and solidarity during the most difficult periods in the past, it will solve this problem today with the same faith, determination, and solidarity. This meeting is not just the beginning of our commission's work. It is also the beginning of the blossoming of our dear nation's hopes for the future.

"THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA"

The commission gathered here is not an ordinary delegation, but a historic one that shows the courage to repair our future and the will to consolidate social integration.

In this hall, representing the will of the nation, we are witnessing the beginning of a new era. This commission exists to negotiate problems that will be brought to a solution on behalf of the nation, to convey agreed-upon proposals and recommendations to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and to take charge of the aforementioned processes on behalf of the nation. Our commission is also a reflection of the will to look with fresh eyes at an issue that has been consuming our country's energy for decades and has been provoked by those trying to drive brothers apart.

MESSAGE ON THE CONSTITUTION

Our primary issue here is undoubtedly not to write a constitution, to carry out legal reform, or to solve all problems at once. It is the will to remind that the Parliament, besides being the voice of the people, is the carrier of social peace, the guarantor of brotherhood, and the legitimate address for solutions.

It is the name of acting with courage, conscience, and justice, not with political calculations, narrow definitions, and molds.

Because the process that begins with the organization dissolving itself and the silencing of weapons completely is not the issue of any person, institution, or political structure, but directly the issue of our dear nation.

The value of the Parliamentary Commission lies exactly here. This commission is a call to fortify the spiritual fabric of society, to make brotherhood permanent, and to strengthen common life by accepting our differences as our wealth.

In essence, the feelings of unity, togetherness, and brotherhood among our nation have been the most important social building block of our society for centuries. Our nation has never given credence to the sedition of separation that has been tried to be artificially inserted into us through terror apparatuses used as dirty tools of global imperialism's divide-and-rule policies.

The dark years that terrorist acts have caused our country to experience are the common loss and common pain of every one of our citizens. For many years, terrorism did not just take our lives in these lands. It also stole our labor, our hope, and our common dream. We spent about 50 years of our Republic's century-long history struggling with the darkness within.

The dirty games played by hiding behind different terrorist organizations have for years been the biggest obstacle in front of our country's goal of being a strong, prosperous, and peaceful country. We have all witnessed together that it was not just a single terrorist organization, but many structures under different names and masks that tried to block our country's path for years. These organizations were undoubtedly structures established to carry out proxy wars that tear apart countries in our region. In most of the countries around us, attempts were made to destabilize our region through these structures, conflicts and massacres were caused among brotherly peoples, and millions of people were displaced from their lands and became refugees.

Unfortunately, this picture has prevented Turkey's democratic and libertarian vision from taking root on a stronger political plane for many years.

Today, with decisive steps that have thwarted coup attempts, including FETÖ, and broken the influence of the terrorist organization, we are on the threshold of a new era.

The new era must be a period where politics, thought, and conscience are discussed more. The pain of the mother who lost her child, the tradesman who had to close his shop, the villager who could not go to his highland, and the public official who died or was martyred while serving on behalf of the public is the common pain of us all.

We are here to turn our common pains into common hope. This major problem, which has lasted for many years, had forced politics and the state to act with security-oriented reflexes. However, now is the time to speak more loudly about the possibilities and power of freedom, equality, and justice, alongside security.

"PEOPLES SEPARATED BY BARBED WIRE AFTER WORLD WAR I..."

This is another mission of this commission. Peoples who were torn apart and had barbed wire drawn between them after World War I now deserve to hear each other more loudly again.

Every step we take must be aimed at fortifying peace and brotherhood in this ancient geography. In this context, a terror-free Turkey actually means, frankly, a terror-free region. Dear fellow deputies, my dear nation. It is very clear that Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is the fundamental code of our geography.

We are the grandchildren of those who fought shoulder to shoulder in Çanakkale. Sharing a destiny is not just walking together on the battlefield, but also in sweat, pain, and hope. We know that we cannot grasp the truth of these lands without understanding Saladin and Zengi. And we cannot reach the meaning of walking together without understanding the essence of what Alparslan and Kilij Arslan did. They were all great figures who, in their own eras, became pioneers and symbols of justice, brotherhood, solidarity, partnership, sharing joy and sorrow, and walking together as a nation.

Today, we too must rely on that wisdom that comes from the very heart of the people, embrace that national conscience, reinterpret history with today's understanding, and build the future with this will. Despite the fragility of global conditions and regional developments, we must increase our unity at home, consolidate social peace, and protect regional peace abroad. We must fortify our internal front and place Turkey's stability on a corporate political mind. The dark period that blocked our country's path is now being left behind with the foresight of our nation and the determination of our state. The Parliament is undoubtedly the highest democratic roof that hears the truth, feels society, and represents conscience. We may not be writing a new constitution in this commission, but we will write sentences of brotherhood and we will act together.

READ POETRY FROM BOTH NAZIM AND MEHMET AKIF

Our Parliament will not only remind us of our 1,000-year-old brotherhood but will redefine it on a political plane. It should be known that the disarmament process we are witnessing is never the result of a bargain.

It is the result and reflection of our nation's determination for peace and unity. The developments we are proud of today are in the direction of removing an obstacle that stole the labor and time of our people.

If we had not been dealing with the scourge of terrorism, if we could have allocated a significant portion of our budget to development instead of fighting terrorism for years, many schools, universities, and hospitals could have been built much earlier.

More students would have met with more qualified education, and more of our people would have accessed health more easily and quickly. It was possible for us to reach this point we have reached today much earlier. We could have reached this level we have achieved in our defense technologies, our own helicopters, satellites, and national defense industry perhaps much earlier.

But beyond all these losses, the heaviest price was undoubtedly paid with lives. Spiritual losses are our unforgettable pains. The pain of our martyrs, each of whom fell into the home of a separate family, and our veterans, each of whom sacrificed a lifetime.

All the heroes who defended this homeland at the cost of their lives are the spiritual architects of the process we have started here today. We declare that we will remain loyally committed to their legacy in every step we take in this direction. This commission is the podium for everyone who raises their voice. As long as our common words are peace and our common goal is brotherhood. There is no subject that cannot be discussed under this roof. As long as we are ready to listen to each other. As long as every view contains the will to be part of unity and brotherhood. I would like to thank everyone, every institution with a conscience, who is part of this positive process once again from the heart. I believe that everyone who contributes has shown and will show that brotherhood is in the yeast of this country. With Akif's lines, "An enemy cannot enter a nation without division. As long as hearts beat together, no cannon can subdue it." And with Nazim's dream expressed in the lines, "Like a tree alone and free, and like a forest in brotherhood." That is, we will hopefully grow the brotherhood that we are obliged to realize through the hand of politics, and we will spread it to society all together.

POEM FROM AHMET KHANI

Similarly, if we express it with the thoughts of the great scholar and mystic, the great witness and poet of Kurdish, Ahmet-i Khani, if the hearts of peoples beat together with justice, they become a nation. Language changes, clothing changes, geography changes, but common feelings remain.

Dear fellow deputies, dear members of the press. The meeting of the nation's demands on the political plane and the healthy execution of coordination between institutions are essential for stability and peace. In this respect, the right venue for the discussion is the Grand National Assembly and the commission we have formed here today representing it. Because this is exactly the place where every idea and identity representing the entire nation can speak. I would like to draw your attention. Today, we are not just here with political parties that have groups. Our friends representing all political parties represented in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey are here. We can say that this hall is a reflection of a political will where 98% of society is represented. Every briefing and step will be carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner. Every work carried out under this roof will proceed in front of the eyes of the people and with the assurance of the national will.

LISTED THREE PRINCIPLES: 1 TRANSPARENCY

That is why we must express the operating principles of the commission clearly from the very first day. Undoubtedly, the first of these is transparency. Because our nation has the right to know every step, to learn what is being done at every step, and is the sole addressee of this. Another of our principles must be openness. Because hidden agendas and implicit calculations have no contribution to social peace. And our 3rd fundamental principle must undoubtedly be pluralism. Because these lands are meaningful not with a single color, but with many voices and many cultures.

ONLY THE TBMM SPEAKER'S OFFICE WILL INFORM THE PRESS

Dear fellow deputies. Informing the public and the press about the commission's work will be carried out solely by the Office of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Because ensuring that statements that could poison and provoke the process are not given credence is also one of the primary duties of this commission. Therefore, informing the public accurately, on time, and on the spot through our press must be one of our priorities. The subject we will address in this commission, that is, the issues we will address along with Turkey leaving terrorism behind, are not issues under the monopoly of any political party. This process is a matter of survival that concerns the common future of the Turk, the Kurd, and citizens from every segment.

I am saying this again here. This process is a matter of survival that concerns the common future of the Turk, the Kurd, and citizens from every segment.

Therefore, our commission will act as a deliberative consultative body. Our commission will act as a deliberative consultative body.

On this ground, it will work with an understanding that will ensure that different ideas and feelings unite in a common mind. Among the duties and responsibilities of the commission, the follow-up of the disarmament process on behalf of the nation is of great importance.

This process should be carefully monitored, directed, and suggestions should be offered when necessary, with its legal framework, social ground, and political language.

I would also like to emphasize an important point here. Undoubtedly, one of the most important features of this process is the proper management of social psychology.

In the success of these works, in terms of ensuring the contribution of social segments and different segments to the process, correctly directing and forming social psychology together is also an important task.

This is also a step that will create a strong and mutual social respect. I would like to state that a language that does not protect the honor of the Kurd and a discourse that ignores the pride of the Turk are approaches that lead not to peace, but to new fractures. Our goal is not just to unite on the lowest common denominators.

We are here to strengthen the maximum ground for living together. The commission will be a strong ground where different ideas, expectations, and opinions are not clashed, but on the contrary, the will to live together is built. Proposing and preparing legal regulations that will make peace permanent along with the complete laying down of arms is also among the responsibilities of this commission.

Developing proposals, presenting reports, conducting analyses in line with emerging needs, and carrying these to the general will of the parliament is also the primary duty of this structure. Dear fellow deputies, dear members of the press, my dear nation. The spiritual power, historical experience, and representative structure of the Parliament will be our strongest shield against provocations.

Undoubtedly, provocations can always happen in every period. The most important element that will eliminate moves from inside and outside is our pluralistic democratic structure. That is why not only the political institution but all segments of society will be included in our work.

The contributions of opinion leaders, universities, the legal community, and non-governmental organizations on these issues will be valuable. The press is tasked with informing the public accurately, away from political gossip; the academy is tasked with explaining the issue with a cool-headed and scientific framework; and civil society is tasked with voicing the needs in the field. No one should be left out. No idea should be pushed aside. Because we want to build unity and brotherhood that encompasses the entirety of this nation.

Each of our deputies serving in the Parliament, regardless of which party or region they are from, will act with the understanding that they are participating in these works on behalf of our nation. As a result, this table has been established with the conscience, mind, wisdom, and faith of the nation.

I believe that Turkey will grow stronger with peace, integrity, democracy, and brotherhood. We will build a democratic, pluralistic Turkey that everyone feels belongs to them, with great effort together. Our commission will represent an understanding where truth is not ignored, feelings are not denied, and politics shows the courage to produce solutions.

Every word spoken here will be shaped by the language of brotherhood and the voice of conscience. Every identity is the original color of our nation. No citizen of ours can be marginalized because of their identity, language, or belief. We are committed to the will of the nation to the end in this cause. I believe that our commission will properly carry out this historic mission carried out in national unity and brotherhood.

May our intention be pure, our word be strong, our horizon be open, our time be fruitful, and our brotherhood be eternal. Our faith is full. May God be our helper and supporter.

We are taking a 10-minute break from our commission meeting. After making the arrangement regarding the press, our deputy friends on behalf of the groups and our friends participating on behalf of the parties will also speak on their own behalf. 20 minutes will be spoken on behalf of the groups and 10 minutes on behalf of individuals. I am taking a 10-minute break.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW...