Statement from Numan Kurtulmuş regarding İmralı: 'The upcoming statement is of vital importance'
Evaluating the expected statement from terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan, Kurtulmuş stated that the upcoming announcement carries great importance for the progress of the process. Kurtulmuş expressed that rhetoric reminiscent of tutelage recalls the negative experiences of the past.
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Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Numan Kurtulmuş made statements regarding the discussions that have emerged concerning İmralı. Stating that the assessment to be made from İmralı is critical for the process, Kurtulmuş emphasized the necessity for Turkey to rid itself of its terrorism agenda.
In his statement, Kurtulmuş noted that everyone in Turkey must know their own responsibilities and used the following expressions:
''Statements that evoke tutelage remind our people of the dangerous and dark days experienced in the past. No one should resort to this path. Everyone should do their own job and be aware of their responsibilities. We have expressed this in the past for tutelary circles as well. Anyone who wants to engage in politics in Turkey should take their place on the political stage.''
Touching upon the importance of the statement to come from İmralı, Kurtulmuş stated that this announcement would be the first step for the process to proceed in a healthy manner, and expressed the following:
''The first step for the process to proceed healthily is for the expected statement to be made from İmralı and for Turkey to rid itself of its terrorism agenda. As citizens of the Republic of Turkey, we are all taking ownership of our future together. For this reason, I believe the upcoming statement is of vital importance. The rest will follow very quickly.''
THE STATEMENT TO COME FROM ÖCALAN
A DEM Party delegation went to İmralı Island to meet with Abdullah Öcalan. Following the meeting, it was alleged that Öcalan would make a call to the PKK on February 15, 2025, to 'lay down arms' or 'end its armed presence in Turkey.' This date coincides with the anniversary of Öcalan's being brought to Turkey.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli suggested in a speech he made in Parliament on October 1, 2024, that Öcalan should come to Parliament in person to announce that the organization has been dissolved. However, it was stated that due to legal procedures, it is more likely that the call in question will be made from İmralı. Although the DEM Party delegation brought up the option of a call via video message, this request was rejected.
The DEM Party delegation continued its meetings with political parties following the talks held in İmralı. It was announced that if the meetings progress positively, Öcalan will make a call for the organization to lay down its arms.