Critical development in the Imralı process: Numan Kurtulmuş says 'we are at the final threshold'!

The National Unity, Solidarity and Democracy Commission, established within the framework of the Imralı Process, held its 20th meeting. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş delivered the opening speech of the meeting. Kurtulmuş provided detailed information about the scope of the work that has been ongoing since August 5, the stage reached, and the roadmap to be followed.

“A HISTORIC MISSION HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN”

Reminding that the commission began its work on August 5, Kurtulmuş said that the process carries the nature of a historic mission both in terms of the weight of the subject matter and the application of democratic negotiation methods. Kurtulmuş stated that everyone expressed their thoughts openly during the meetings, that all speeches made were recorded in a manner open to the public, and that the process was conducted transparently.

86 HOURS OF WORK, 4,139 PAGES OF MINUTES

Sharing the numerical data of the work carried out by the commission to date, Kurtulmuş stated that an important archive has been added to Turkey's political history. According to the information disclosed:

A total of 58 sessions were held in the first 19 meetings.

The discussions lasted a total of 86 hours.

135 people, consisting of non-governmental organizations, academics, and opinion leaders, were heard.

As a result of all the meetings held, 4,139 pages of minutes were prepared.

Kurtulmuş expressed that critical thresholds have been overcome through careful and diligent work and that the process has reached its final stage.

POLITICAL PARTIES SUBMITTED THEIR REPORTS

Stating that all political parties represented in the commission have submitted their own reports to the Office of the Parliament Speaker, Kurtulmuş said that these texts serve as a "political position paper" for each party. Reminding that these reports were published on the Parliament's website as of last week and made accessible to the public, Kurtulmuş stated that discussions on the reports are ongoing.

EMPHASIS ON A JOINT REPORT

Stating that despite the separate reports of the parties, the main goal is to create a joint text, Kurtulmuş expressed his wish on this matter with the following words:

“Our heart desires that a joint report be prepared that everyone can accept, even without dissenting opinions. When this is achieved, another very important and vital threshold will have been crossed.”

Kurtulmuş said that increasing contacts between political parties in the coming period will contribute to strengthening common ground.

Stating that the joint report planned to be prepared will be presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Kurtulmuş expressed that this text will lead the legislative process and the implementation of necessary regulations. He also expressed his hope that the democratic courtesy and working style displayed in the commission would set an example for the General Assembly.

VOTE ON TERM OF OFFICE

Announcing that additional time is needed to complete the final report, Kurtulmuş reported that the extension of the commission's term of office has come to the agenda as a result of meetings with party representatives. He stated that the decision on this matter would be put to a vote by the commission members at the end of the meeting.

In the continuation of the meeting, it was announced that the views of the 135 people heard to date have been examined using scientific methods. It was stated that the "Minutes Analysis" study, conducted to reveal which topics different political tendencies focused on, was prepared by Prof. Dr. Havva Kökaslan and Dr. Murat Sevencan. The meeting continued with the academics' presentations regarding these analyses.