CHP Chairman Özel: Our country, our democracy, and our party are going through perhaps the most difficult days in history

In his speech, Özel stated that the country, democracy, and the party are going through perhaps the most difficult days in history, saying, "When you look at it as a whole, it is difficult to find a common-sense answer to the question, 'Who benefits from what is happening? Who will benefit from the outcome of these events?' In the next part of the meeting, your questions, evaluations, suggestions, criticisms, and contributions will also be very valuable."

Stating that he promised young people a Turkey without bans and a Europe without visas, Özel said, "Because we see full membership in the European Union as a very important anchor. For this, a vast understanding of freedom, the broadest possible understanding of freedom, serious courage in this regard, and very important steps toward democratization need to be taken."

Saying, "We were very hopeful for peace before. Then those hopes were dashed, and as seen in global experiences, we lived through very bad times," Özel noted the following:

"On the other hand, we have faced a setback. If the intentions of those who caused this setback for us are as we read them, they will also dash the hopes for peace. We have come here to show our will so that peace does not suffer a setback. We have come to join forces in a struggle so that peace does not suffer a setback. I would like to express this. We are all going through difficult times. We are at a turning point, or to use a very common, very classic, and widely used phrase, we are at one of the breaking points of history."

Noting that they did not want to determine the direction they would take from Ankara or by themselves, Özel said, "We couldn't have determined it anyway. That is why we said the compass is the people, the nations, the public, the streets, the squares, Anatolia, and Thrace. That is why, rather than just speaking, we are here to listen; rather than just proposing, we are here to receive suggestions; rather than just explaining our feelings, we are here to hear the feelings of others and find a way, or if the roads are closed, to decide whether we need to open a new one or what needs to be done."

The NGO meeting continued behind closed doors following Özel's speech.

News Source: İHA