27.06.2026 11:48
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated that a critical stage has been reached in the "Terror-Free Turkey" process, and that legal groundwork studies regarding the dissolution of the terrorist organization and the disarmament process are ongoing. Yılmaz emphasized that the process is not only a security issue but also an important democratic test that will demonstrate Turkey's problem-solving capacity.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, speaking at the Anatolian Talks program organized by the Turkish Press Federation, met with journalists and made comprehensive assessments on prominent agenda items, from the "Terror-Free Turkey" process to the economy, from the fight against inflation to foreign investments, and from democracy debates to developments in the CHP.
Yılmaz stated that Turkey is going through a critical period both domestically and abroad, and emphasized that completely ending terrorism is one of the most important goals of the Turkey Century vision.
"CALL TO STRENGTHEN THE DOMESTIC FRONT TURNED INTO STATE POLICY"
Yılmaz, noting that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's call to "strengthen the domestic front" has strategic importance at a time when wars, conflicts, and geopolitical risks are increasing around Turkey, stated that the calls made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli during this process have also opened the door to a new era.
Yılmaz, expressing that Bahçeli has demonstrated a historic will prioritizing the country's future without any political calculations, said that with the joint determination of President Erdoğan and Bahçeli, the process has turned into a state policy over time.
Stating that one of the main topics of President Erdoğan's Turkey Century vision is a "Terror-Free Turkey," Yılmaz indicated that the ongoing efforts have reached a critical stage today.
"A CRITICAL STAGE HAS BEEN REACHED FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION"
Yılmaz, noting that the founder of the terrorist organization called for its dissolution, and the organization responded positively to this call within its own mechanisms, said that a new process has started afterward.
Expressing that Turkey has seized the opportunity to permanently solve the terrorism problem it has been struggling with for many years, Yılmaz said, "At the point we have reached today, there is a significant opportunity to realize both the Terror-Free Turkey and the terror-free region vision. We want to make use of this."
Yılmaz noted that the process is not only a security policy but also an important democratic test that will demonstrate Turkey's problem-solving capacity.
THE COMMISSION IN THE PARLIAMENT BECAME AN EXAMPLE OF CONSENSUS
Evaluating the work of the commission established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Yılmaz stated that all political parties with parliamentary groups, except the İYİ Party, participated in the commission, calling this an important example of consensus.
Yılmaz, expressing that different segments of society were heard and a comprehensive report was prepared, said that work is ongoing to create the necessary legal infrastructure for the dissolution of the terrorist organization in line with this report.
Emphasizing that the ultimate decision-making authority for the regulations to be prepared is the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Yılmaz said the bill will take its final shape following discussions in the commissions and the General Assembly.
DISARMAMENT PROCESS WILL BE PLACED ON A LEGAL BASIS
Responding to questions about the disarmament process, Yılmaz stated that the regulations to be prepared will have a structure that both encourages the organization to lay down its arms and clarifies the legal framework.
Yılmaz said the legal status of those who lay down their arms will be determined by law, adding that the implementation may be subject to specific conditions and a timeline.
Evaluating the parliament's working schedule, Yılmaz stated that efforts are ongoing to complete the regulations before the legislative year ends, but the parliament can extend its working period if deemed necessary.
"DEMOCRACY MUST BE COMPARED WITH THE PAST AND THE WORLD"
Yılmaz also addressed criticisms regarding democracy and press freedom in Turkey, stating that debates can occur in any democracy, but evaluations must consider Turkey's history and the current global conditions together.
Emphasizing that civil politics and national will are much stronger today compared to past periods in Turkey, Yılmaz stated that the path to improving democratic standards lies again through democratic politics and a free debate environment.
"TURKEY'S SHARE IN FOREIGN INVESTMENT INCREASED FIVE TIMES"
Yılmaz, expressing that he does not find the assessments that foreign capital does not come to Turkey accurate, said that foreign direct investments worldwide have significantly decreased in recent years.
Noting that global growth has slowed, trade volume has contracted, and capital movements have weakened compared to past periods, Yılmaz stated that despite this, Turkey's share of international direct investments has increased significantly.
Recalling that Turkey's share of global direct investments was at the level of 0.2 percent when the AK Party came to power, Yılmaz said this rate has risen to approximately 1 percent today, adding, "Turkey's share of global direct investments has increased fivefold proportionally."
"WE WILL NOT STEP BACK FROM THE FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION"
In his economic evaluations, Yılmaz stated that developments in the Middle East negatively affect the world economy, and tensions between Israel, the US, and Iran increase energy, logistics, financing, and insurance costs.
Yılmaz noted that the war environment increases global inflation while having a growth-slowing effect, and stated that Turkey is also affected by these external developments, but the implemented economic program is being maintained with determination.
"What matters to us is the direction of the program," said Yılmaz, adding that external shocks may create temporary effects, but these effects will be overcome with decisive policies.
FUEL PRICE STABILIZATION MECHANISM PREVENTED INFLATION FROM RISING
Yılmaz recalled that after the developments, they activated the fuel price stabilization mechanism (eşel mobil), stating that this application significantly limited the impact of the war on inflation.
Expressing that the stabilization mechanism puts serious pressure on the budget, yet fiscal discipline is maintained, Yılmaz noted that despite the approximately $100 billion cost of the earthquake over the last three years, both earthquake expenditures and this application have been covered by budget means.
Stating that the agreement reached between the US and Iran has positively reflected on markets, Yılmaz said that establishing lasting peace in the region is also of great importance for the global economy.
"WHAT HAPPENED IN CHP IS THE PARTY'S INTERNAL AFFAIR"
Yılmaz, commenting on the debates within CHP, stated that the process is entirely related to CHP's own internal dynamics.
Noting that recent disagreements among different groups within the party have been played out in public view, Yılmaz expressed that it is not right to blame AK Party over these developments.
Emphasizing that CHP is a long-established political party, Yılmaz said that resolving the issues through the party's institutional mechanisms is the most appropriate course of action.
Stressing that the government avoids political polemics, Yılmaz pointed out that Turkey faces much more important agendas such as economy, security, foreign policy, and development, stating, "Instead of polemics that do not contribute to the country, we focus on solving the problems of our citizens."