DEM Party - EMEP meeting concludes: Tuncer Bakırhan responds to the question 'Does the call include the YPG?'

In the new resolution process architected by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan issued a call to lay down arms on February 27.

Following the terrorist leader's call, the DEM Party began its İmralı-related tour in Ankara and the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). In this context, Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, who are part of the DEM Party İmralı Delegation, met with EMEP representatives at the Parliament.

EMEP Chairman Seyit Aslan and deputies Sevda Karaca and İskender Bayhan welcomed the DEM Party delegation.

The meeting between the two parties was held behind closed doors. In his statement after the meeting, EMEP Chairman Aslan said, "We believe that the call made from İmralı is important for democratization. Our party has always stated that the Kurdish issue should be removed from the spiral of war. In terms of discussing this ground more democratically, lifting the isolation in İmralı, stopping operations, and the reinstatement of mayors would be important for Turkey's democratization. Everyone must urgently fulfill their duties and responsibilities so that all these processes can be discussed on a democratic ground. It is unacceptable for both the peoples of Turkey, the peoples of the Middle East, and the democratic forces of Turkey for the call to remain in limbo, potentially leading to other consequences for other reasons. It is essential for us that this process be resolved through democratic means."

"FOR THIS CALL TO FIND A RESPONSE..."

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan stated the following:

"We held a productive and important meeting. When the process began, we stated that we would be transparent, that we would share the meetings and discussions held with all dynamics of society without being bound by time limits, and that we would convey the information without hiding anything from the public. After both meetings in İmralı, we informed political parties and all dynamics of society. The last meeting we attended was a very historic one. The decision for the armed organization founded 50 years ago in Ankara to dissolve itself came out of that meeting. It was very important. Mr. Öcalan expressed in the call text that Turkey should move away from violence and conflict and resolve issues through dialogue on a democratic ground. We will try to receive contributions regarding this process by conveying the developments and meetings in this process in an open and transparent manner. The call is a call made to the 85 million people in Turkey, to the democratic forces, to all of us. This call is a start. I would like to state that there is a need for unity of power for this call to find a response."

"WE ARE NOT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SDF"

Responding to the question of whether terrorist leader Öcalan's call includes the YPG, Bakırhan noted the following:

"We need to focus on the process where the Kurdish issue, which consumes Turkey's energy and causes loss of life, is discussed without violence and arms. We are not the ones to address what the call covers or to what extent. We are not the representatives of the SDF either. The call speaks of democracy and peace. It is more appropriate to ask the relevant parties. Mr. Öcalan's letter had been sent, and responses had been given to that letter. Since we have not seen what was written in that letter and the response received, I want to say that it is not our job to state what they said to the call or what it covers and to what extent."

DEM PARTY'S SCHEDULE

The DEM Party delegation will visit CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the CHP Headquarters at 13:00. The party's last stop today will be the DEVA Party Headquarters. The DEM Party delegation will meet with DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan at 16:30. The DEM Party will visit the TİP, Saadet Party, and Future Party on March 12, and the AKP and MHP on March 17.