Erdoğan meets DEM Party MPs as PKK prepares to disarm

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with a delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on July 7 as Türkiye awaits PKK to initiate the long-anticipated process of laying down arms.

The meeting came just two days after Erdoğan, speaking to reporters aboard his return flight from Azerbaijan, said his government and the DEM Party would "evaluate the steps taken to achieve the goal of a terror-free Türkiye and what comes next."

DEM Party's delegation, composed of MPs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, visited PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on July 6 at the İmralı prison island off Istanbul. They were accompanied by lawyer Faik Özgür Erol.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Buldan described it as a “historic” step. “Let us remember once again our colleague Sırrı [Süreyya Önder], who played a major role and took part in the first meeting. This is a historic discussion for us. The process is entering a new phase. We believe consultation is necessary at this stage, and we will discuss all of this with the president today. We attach great importance to this meeting,” she said.

Sancar also underlined the importance of dialogue. “We just consulted with our co-chairs as well. It is clear that the process has moved into a new phase. We will discuss the characteristics of this phase and what it requires with the president and his team,” Sancar said.

The rare visit preceded what is expected to be a disarmament ceremony by PKK in the coming days, with members of the press reportedly invited to observe.

"In our meeting, Öcalan emphasized that the process is entering a new phase," the party said in a statement. "He said everyone, all of us, have responsibilities in fulfilling the requirements of the process with the new steps to be taken."

The DEM Party has said its delegation will also hold talks with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel as part of its engagement surrounding the initiative.

Back in April, DEM Party officials met with Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, presenting a broad list of demands. These reportedly included improved detention conditions for Öcalan, amendments to the country’s anti-terror and execution laws and measures for sick inmates.

One request was for the application of the "right to hope" rule to Öcalan, which would allow prisoners serving aggravated life sentences to seek conditional release after 25 years. Tunç later said in May that Öcalan would not be eligible under this provision.

PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.