First statement after the Öcalan meeting from the DEM Party.

After Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç allowed DEM Party to visit the terrorist organization PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Van Deputy Pervin Buldan went to İmralı Island early yesterday morning and had a meeting that lasted for hours.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM DEM PARTY

The official statement regarding the content of the meeting was released today. In the statement made by DEM Party members Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan, the message of terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan was included.

"HIS HEALTH IS GOOD, HIS MORALE WAS QUITE HIGH"

The statement from the DEM Party is as follows: "On December 28, 2024, we had a comprehensive meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı. His health is good, and his morale was quite high. His evaluations aimed at finding a permanent solution to the Kurdish issue were of vital importance.

During the meeting, which evaluated the recent developments in the Middle East and Turkey, Mr. Öcalan presented positive solution proposals against the imposed dark future scenarios. His thoughts and the general framework of his approach are as follows:

- Strengthening Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood is not only a historical responsibility but has also gained decisive importance and urgency for all peoples.

- For the success of the process, it is essential for all political circles in Turkey to take initiative, act constructively, and provide positive contributions without getting caught up in narrow and temporary calculations. One of the most important grounds for these contributions will undoubtedly be the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

- The events in Gaza and Syria have shown that the solution to this problem, which is being attempted to be gangrened by external interventions, can no longer be postponed. The contributions and suggestions of the opposition are valuable for achieving a successful outcome in proportion to its seriousness.

- I also have the necessary expertise and determination to positively contribute to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan.

"THIS IS AN ERA OF BROTHERHOOD FOR TURKEY AND THE REGION"

- The delegation will share this approach with both the state and political circles. In light of these, I am ready to take the necessary positive step and make the call.

- All these efforts will elevate the country to the level it deserves and will also serve as a very valuable guide for a democratic transformation.

- This is an era of peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç had announced that they responded positively to the DEM Party members' request for a meeting. Minister Tunç also stated that Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Van Deputy Pervin Buldan would be part of the delegation going to İmralı. Önder said, "The timing of the visit will be determined based on weather conditions. We are waiting for news. We have not yet received any information regarding the date. Most likely, we will go from Mudanya," he said.

HOW DID THE PROCESS DEVELOP?

The process began with the call made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli on October 22. In his statement at the MHP Group Meeting in the TBMM, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli said, "If the isolation of the terrorist leader is lifted, let him come and speak at the TBMM DEM Party Group Meeting, proclaiming that terrorism has completely ended and the organization has been dissolved. If he shows this determination and resolve, let the legal regulation regarding the use of the 'right to hope' be made, and let him benefit from it to the fullest."

Shortly after this statement, Bahçeli called for the DEM Party delegation to be allowed to go to İmralı. On November 26, the DEM Party applied to the Ministry of Justice to meet with terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı. On December 9, during the budget discussions in the TBMM, Bahçeli applauded DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan after his speech calling for a new beginning.

In his speech, Bakırhan stated, "In 2025, in the 103rd year of the Republic, we can make a new beginning. This Assembly has the chance to undertake the founding of a Democratic Republic. Let the honor of creating a country that 85 million people will feel they belong to belong to this Assembly."