Meeting between DEM Party delegation and CHP leader Özgür Özel concludes

The DEM Party delegation, which held a meeting with PKK leader Öcalan in İmralı, continues its visits to political parties. 

Having visited the MHP previously and the AKP yesterday, the delegation paid a visit to CHP leader Özgür Özel this morning. 

Following the visit, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made the following statements:

''We listened to them. Regarding the process, we expressed our criticisms and suggestions from the very beginning on how to move forward in order to resolve the issue that Turkey has been facing for 50 years. 

To put it very briefly, our historical consistency lies in Parliament. We need a strong commission to work on this. 

The sensitive feelings of society must be taken into account. We presented our suggestions, especially by considering the feelings of martyrs' families and veterans. 

We emphasize that every step to be taken from now on must be a democratic step. 

Our goal is to be able to look to the future with hope.''

Following CHP leader Özel, Sırrı Süreyya Önder from the DEM Party delegation made the following statements regarding the meeting:

We extend our thanks to the Chairman for his kind invitation and for receiving us, both on behalf of myself and my colleagues in the delegation. We had the opportunity to hold a very comprehensive meeting. We listened to the Chairman's suggestions, contributions, and concerns. All of them were invaluable. In particular, the concerns and objections are as meaningful to us as the support provided, if not more so.

Because this is not a maneuver by a narrow political segment, but something that concerns the future of the entire society, it is necessary to take all of them into account. We owe our children and grandchildren a country at peace. We cannot escape this debt. We are approaching this with that sense of responsibility.

WHAT HAPPENED?

DEM Party Van MP Pervin Buldan and Istanbul MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder had met with PKK terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı.

Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder had issued a written statement regarding the meeting held with Abdullah Öcalan.

The written statement by Buldan and Önder included the remarks made by Abdullah Öcalan.

In his statement, Abdullah Öcalan said, "I possess the competence and determination to provide the necessary positive contribution to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan."

Öcalan had stated, "The delegation will share this approach of mine with both the state and political circles. In light of these, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the call."

The DEM Party delegation, consisting of Pervin Buldan, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, and Ahmet Türk, began contacting political parties after the new year.

Having met with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş on January 2, the DEM Party delegation subsequently visited MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli.