Eyes turn to the critical summit: Özgür Özel reveals what he will discuss with Erdoğan

In the political agenda, all eyes have turned to the meeting that will take place between AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and CHP Chairman Özgür Özel.

The leaders, who met following Erdoğan's tea invitation to Özel at the April 23 reception, decided to hold the meeting next week.

Özel announced the topics that will be on the agenda ahead of the critical meeting.

"We will not be trapped by Erdoğan's agenda. Wherever I go, I will explain the troubles and grievances of the nation," said Özel, who made the following statements in his remarks to Sözcü:

"A number of proposals emerged at the meeting we held with the mayors. Such as the signing of zoning plans and loans. In the meeting with the President, I will bring up our every application and outstanding receivables regarding the municipalities. I will explain the fundamental problems our people are facing. I will voice the problems of retirees and convey our party's proposal to 'raise the lowest pension to the level of the minimum wage.' I will touch upon the issue of unappointed teachers.

Furthermore, I will draw attention to the implementation of the Constitutional Court's ruling on Can Atalay and the human rights violations regarding the Gezi Park trial detainees. I will also bring up the closure of Taksim Square to May 1st celebrations and convey our views on lifting the restrictions on the constitutional right to assembly and demonstration. The subject of constitutional amendment will definitely be brought up. I will also express our sensitivity by saying, 'The current Constitution has not been complied with.'"

"WE MUST BE UNITED"

"I will also talk about important things regarding Turkey's foreign policy. We are the main opposition party in Turkey, but when we are abroad, we are Turkey's party. For a strong foreign policy for Turkey, there is no distinction between government and opposition abroad. We must resolve the visa issue through the joint efforts of the government and the opposition. Do we look at whether a truck driver is AKP or MHP? The Cyprus issue, relations with Greece, the Armenian issue... We must be united on all national issues that come to mind. I will also convey our sensitivity regarding the Palestinian issue. I wrote letters to 140 leaders in the world for Palestine. 18 of these are presidents and prime ministers. I will go to Ramallah, Palestine very soon. I will go to Azerbaijan."

Stating that he will say, "In politics, debate and negotiation go hand in hand," Özel continued as follows:

"I will say that we need to be negotiating. Out of courtesy, I will say, 'I will do my part to improve the language of politics.' I am doing it, and I am saying it. But I will say, 'I will not engage in insults or fighting.' I will state that I will not use bad words without hearing bad words. I will talk about what we need to do so that there is no tension and there is courtesy in the meeting we will hold."

HE WILL MEET WITH KILIÇDAROĞLU

Özel stated that he has held meetings with mayors, provincial chairmen, the Party Assembly, and the Central Executive Board (MYK), visited the 11th President Ahmet Necdet Sezer to get his ideas, contacted former chairmen Altan Öymen and Hikmet Çetin, and will meet with Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the beginning of the week to receive his suggestions.

WHEN IS THE ERDOĞAN AND ÖZEL MEETING?

The day, place, and time of the meeting between Erdoğan and Özel have not yet been announced. It was learned that Özel's first preference for the meeting place is the Presidential Office at the Çankaya Mansion, the second is the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), and the third preference is the AKP Headquarters.

It was noted that if Erdoğan says, 'Let's meet at the Palace,' Özel will go to the Palace.