DEM Party statement on Imralı meetings: This process cannot continue with just visits

Stating that Parliament must quickly take responsibility for a legal framework, Koçyiğit said, "We want to underline that this process cannot continue with just visits and words."

Following the call by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, the DEM Party Imralı Delegation visited Imralı on December 28 and January 22 to hold meetings with terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan.

DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit made statements regarding the agenda during a press conference at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

"THIS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY MUST BE EVALUATED"

Touching upon her party's meetings in Imralı, Koçyiğit noted the following:

"On January 22, our delegation held a meeting in Imralı lasting approximately 4 hours. In this meeting, the views and suggestions gathered from all political parties, both those with and without groups in Parliament, following our delegation's first meeting on December 28, were conveyed to Mr. Öcalan. Let us state that extensive evaluations were also made on these matters. We must underline that Mr. Öcalan is currently a chance for the resolution of this issue, and that his position is a very important determinant for the peoples of Turkey and the Middle East. As he himself expressed, this historic opportunity must truly be evaluated.

We want to underline that the government must carefully avoid all words, actions, and practices that would cause us to miss this historic opportunity. Let us state that for the solution discussions to yield positive results, the government must quickly focus on practical steps. We want to underline that this process cannot continue with just visits and just words. Let us state that Parliament, in particular, must quickly assume responsibility for a legal framework."

News Source: 12punto