DEM Party delegation meets Erdogan to discuss peace process

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TURKIYE — A delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, comprising Deputy Parliament Speaker Pervin Buldan and Sanliurfa MP Mithat Sancar, met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex to discuss the current state of the resolution process.

The closed-door meeting, which began at 15:00, also included AKP Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Chief Ibrahim Kalin. This high-level gathering marks a continuation of the initiative launched in 2024 by MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, aimed at the disarmament of the PKK.

Critical parliamentary report and expectations

Speaking before the meeting, Pervin Buldan outlined that the delegation had four or five specific agenda items to discuss with the President. She highlighted the growing public expectation regarding the process, particularly as the parliamentary commission's work enters a critical phase.

"There is a certain stage the process has reached. At a time when the Parliamentary Commission's report has moved to the writing stage, there is a great expectation in the public opinion on how the process will proceed," Buldan stated.

Mithat Sancar noted that significant developments have occurred in both Turkey and Syria since their last meeting, adding that the commission's joint report is still being drafted and has not yet been finalized.

Discussions on the "Right to Hope"

A central topic of debate in Ankara is whether the "Right to Hope" (Umut Hakkı)—a legal mechanism that could allow for the parole of life prisoners, including PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan—will be included in the commission's final report.

MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yildiz recently stated that there is a consensus among political parties in the commission regarding this issue. "We agreed on the right to hope, there is no problem, it will be in the report. ECHR decisions already mention the right to hope. Our report will recommend complying with ECHR decisions," Yildiz said.

This follows a statement by MHP leader Bahceli, who reiterated his stance on February 3, saying, "Our decision is clear until Anatolia finds peace, Ocalan finds hope, the Ahmets return to their posts, and Demirtas returns to his home".

Ongoing diplomatic traffic

The DEM Party delegation previously met with Erdogan on July 7 and October 30, following the first contact of this new process on April 10, 2025. The party also revealed that the delegation held a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Abdullah Ocalan on January 17.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus indicated that the commission's work is nearing completion and that the report will soon be presented to the Speaker's Office after final negotiations.

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