HDP Istanbul Member of Parliament Sırrı Süreyya Önder announced that Abdullah Öcalan has made a call to the PKK to hold congress in the spring for disarmament.
Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, İdris Baluken from the HDP İmralı Delegation met with Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan at the Office of the Prime Minister in Dolmabahçe and made a joint statement following the meeting.
Foreign Office Undersecretary Mahir Ünal and Interior Minister Efkan Ala were also present alongside Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan at the press conference.
HDP Istanbul MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder read out Öcalan’s message. The message stated: “In order to take the strategic and historical decision of terminating armed struggle on the basis of common principles, I call the PKK to hold an extraordinary congress in spring. This invitation is a historical declaration of intent for democratic politics to replace the armed struggle.”
Önder himself went on to add: “For the expected historical developments to take place, there is no doubt that a consolidated state of suspension of hostilities needs to be established. So we, as the HDP Delegation, we invite all democratic groups and sections of society that support peace to add strength to this stage of democratic negotiation and resolution we have arrived at. With the knowledge that we are closer to peace than we have ever been, we salute all democratic powers that have contributed and will do so in the future. Öcalan’s main point regarding the stage we are at in the resolution process is this: ‘It is our main target to reach a democratic resolution as we take the 30-year process of conflict to lasting peace. In order to take the strategic and historical decision of terminating armed struggle on the basis of common principles, I call the PKK to hold an extraordinary congress in spring. This invitation is a historical declaration of intent for democratic politics to replace the armed struggle.’”
Deputy Prime Minister Yalçın Akdoğan said the following at the press conference: “We find important this statement on the acceleration of the disarmament process, the realization of a full suspension of hostilities and the emphasis on democratic politics as method. Ideas, views and politics that have the support of people acquire value in democracies. We are determined to finalize the process with the prayers and support of our people. We see the new constitution as a significant opportunity for the solution of many deeply-rooted, chronic problems.”
