Öcalan emphasized the necessity of a legal transition in his meeting with the İmralı delegation
A delegation consisting of Pervin Buldan, Member of Parliament for Van from the Peoples’ Democratic Party of Turkey, Mithat Sancar, Member of Parliament for Şanlıurfa, and lawyer Özgür Faik Erol met yesterday on İmralı Island with Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the PKK. The meeting lasted about three hours, and according to the delegation members, Öcalan’s health and morale were described as “very good and strong.”
The Peoples’ Democratic Party released a written statement today detailing the meeting. In the statement, it was noted that Öcalan emphasized the need to take history and sociology more seriously in advancing the current process, describing the relations between Turks and Kurds as “two millennial pillars” that must be strengthened through recognition and restoration. He also stated that current problems should not be addressed by drawing restrictive lines, but rather by creating a comprehensive horizon.
Öcalan went on to say that incorporating the Kurdish issue in all its dimensions within the legal framework of the Republic should form the basis of a “powerful transition,” adding that such a process could strengthen the foundations of a democratic Republic. He described the forthcoming democratic integration as having both local and global dimensions and called on all parties to participate in this process with sensitivity, seriousness, and a sense of responsibility.
Meanwhile, a few days earlier, on October 30, the Peoples’ Democratic Party delegation on İmralı had held a one-hour meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Chairman of the Justice and Development Party. Following that meeting, Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar issued a written statement expressing their satisfaction that mutual understanding and consensus had been reached on taking steps to ensure faster and healthier progress in the process.
